SOLUTION: Hello, I am stuck on this problem. I did do part of it, please let me know if what I did is right. Problem: Consider the function f(x)=x^2+4x+1 Find h, the x-coordinate of the v

Click here to see ALL problems on Functions

Question 206880: Hello,
I am stuck on this problem. I did do part of it, please let me know if what I did is right.
Problem: Consider the function f(x)=x^2+4x+1
Find h, the x-coordinate of the vertex of this parabola.
I got this: x=-4/2*1, x=-4/2, x=-2 (is this correct?)
Substitute the two integers immediately to the left and right of h into the function to find the corresponding y. Fill in the following table. Make sure your x-values are in increasing order in your table.
__x__|___y_
_____|_____
_____|_____
_____|_____
_h=_|______
_____|_____
_____|_____
The above table is what I am having trouble with. If you would please show me how to go about figuring this out I would appreciate it. Thank you
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First off, you need to realize that the x-coordinate of the vertex is the value of 'h'. So in this case, (you have the correct x-coordinate of the vertex).

So all you need to do is plug in values that fall to the left and to the right of the x-coordinate of the vertex 'h'. So why not try plugging in x=0 (an easy value that is to the right of 'h'), x=-1, x=-3 (now we're to the left of 'h') and x=-4. Let me know how this goes.