The equation of a curve is y = x^2 + ax + b where a and b are integers. The points (0,-5) and (5,0) lie on the curve. Find the coordinates of the turning point of the curve.

In the equation for our line we have 2 unknowns: a and b. However, we know that the line passes through two known points with x and y coordinates. Therefore, we can begin by substituting in our known x and y coordinates to see if we can find a value for a and b. Substituting in the point (0, -5), we find:-5 = (0)2 + (0)a + bTherefore b = -5. Now that we know b, we can substitute in this value for b in to our equation. Using our second set of x and y coordinates, we can find a:0 = (5)2 + (5)a - 5which rearranges to give a = -4. Therefore, the equation for our line looks like:y = x2 - 4x - 5
From our knowledge of graph sketching, we know that x2 (or second order polynomial) graphs are symmetrical about their turning point (as seen in the figure that will be provided during our session). Therefore, if we can find the 2 points at which this line intercepts the x-axis (i.e. when y = 0), we can find the x-coordinate of the halfway point between the two which we can use to find the turning point. We can do this by factorising the equation we have in to the form y=(x+c)(x+d). If one of these brackets equals zero, then y will equal zero, meaning we will have found the x-coordinate of our x-axis intercept. We have already been given one of these points, (5,0), therefore one of these brackets will be (x-5), as when x = 5, this bracket will equal zero and therefore y will equal zero. From inspection, we can see that for the factorised form to equal the original equation, the second bracket is (x+1), giving y = (x+1)(x-5)This can be explained further in the session if required. Therefore, we know that the line intercepts the x-axis at (-1,0) and (5,0). The halfway point between -1 and 5 is 2. Substituting x = 2 in to the equation, y =-9. Therefore, the turning point of this line is at (2,-9).

Answered by Maths tutor

19194 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Why do angles in a triangle add to 180?


How do you solve simultaneous equations?


There are 7 blue pens, 4 green pens and 6 red pens in a box. One pen is taken at random from the box. Write down the probability that this pen is blue


If a rectangle has length (x-4), width (x-5) and area 12 then what is the value of x?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences