SOLUTION: How do I make a t-table of values for y = x2 + 4x + 1. AI was suggested to start with values at -5. What does that mean, and is there anyway you can help me graph them?

Question 797382: How do I make a t-table of values for y = x2 + 4x + 1. AI was suggested to start with values at -5. What does that mean, and is there anyway you can help me graph them?
Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Make a little table with two columns. Label one of the columns

and the other one

. Write -5 in the

column. Substitute

for

and do the arithmetic. Write the value you obtain for

in the

column.

Repeat the process as often as you think you need using different values in the

column. Definately use -2 as one of your values, and pick your other values equally distant on either side of -2. For example, you are using -5 (3 to the left of -2), so be sure to use 1 (3 to the right of -2). If you use -4, be sure to use 0. Using 0 is always a good idea anyway.

Once you have as many entries in your table as you think you need (I suggest 5 or 7, as pleases you) then the

and

values in each row of the table form an ordered pair

. Construct your ordered pairs and then plot them on an

graph. Finally, draw a smooth curve through your points. Hint: The point (-2,-3) is the minimum point of this function.

How did I know the vertex or minimum was at -2? For any quadratic function