More on Parabolas

By: Ginger Rhodes

 

 

Look at y = x 2 + bx + 1 for different values of b. What do you notice about the “movement” of the parabola as b is changed? Click HERE for an animation.

 

 

 

 

Notice the y-intercept is the same point (0, 1) for each graph, which makes sense because if you substitute zero in for x you will always have the + 1 to get an y-coordinate of 1.

 

At a closer look there are two roots when 2 < b and b < -2,

one root when b = 2 and b = -2, and no roots when -2 < b < 2.

 

Now, what does the graph of the locus of the

vertices of the set of parabolas graphed

 when b varies in y = x 2 + bx + 1  look like?

 

Remember, the vertex can be found using the

line of symmetry x = -b / 2a.

 

First, find –b / 2a (the x-coordinate of the vertex)

and then substitute in for x to find the y-coordinate.

Since a = 1 we can use –b/2. 

 

I will substitute x = -b / 2 into the following equation

y = x 2 + bx + 1

y = (-b/2)2 + b(-b/2) + 1

So, y = -b2 / 4 + 1

 

Therefore, the vertices include

(-1.5, -1.25), (-1,0), (-.5, .75), (0,1), (.5, .75), (1,0), and (1.5,1.25).

 

 

It appears to be a parabola!

 

How can we find the equation of the parabola?

 

We know x = -b/2 and y = -b2 / 4 + 1,

so let’s solve for b and set the two equations equal to each other.

 

 

 

 

Therefore,

and

 

 

What happens as c changes? Click HERE to explore.

 

What happens as a changes? Click HERE to explore.

 

 

 

Let’s take a different look at the equation 0 = x 2 + bx + 1.

What does it look like in the xb plane?

 

 

Now, suppose we take b = 3, and overlay this equation on the graph. Notice we add a line parallel to the x-axis. Where the horizontal line b = 3 intersects the graph is the roots for the original equation.

 

 

Notice, at a closer look there are two roots when 2 < b and b < -2,

one root when b = 2 and b = -2, and no roots when -2 < b < 2 (just as before!!)

 

What happens when c = -1?

 

 

Other c values?

 

c = -3, -2, -1, 1, 2, and 3

What about c = 0?

 

 

What relationship does 2x + b = 0 have with the other graphs?

 

 

It appears to go through the vertex.

 

Thinking back to before we know this point is a single root and where the quadratic is tangent to the x-axis.

 

This point is also the vertex.

 

Before we discussed x = -b / 2a is the x-coordinate of the vertex.

Solve for b and substitute a = 1 you get b = -2x.

 

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