Determine Intersection Points of y = (x + 7)(x + 2) with X-Axis

Quadratic Functions with X-Axis Intersections

Determine the points of intersection of the function

y=(x+7)(x+2) y=(x+7)(x+2)

With the X

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Find the intersection points with the X-axis
00:03 At the intersection points with the X-axis, the Y value must = 0
00:11 Substitute Y = 0 and solve to find X values
00:20 Find what makes each factor in the multiplication zero
00:25 This is one solution
00:33 This is the second solution
00:40 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Determine the points of intersection of the function

y=(x+7)(x+2) y=(x+7)(x+2)

With the X

2

Step-by-step solution

To find the points of intersection, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: The function given is y=(x+7)(x+2) y = (x+7)(x+2) . We are interested in where this function intersects the x-axis, which occurs when y=0 y = 0 .
  • Step 2: Set the function equal to zero: (x+7)(x+2)=0 (x+7)(x+2) = 0 .
  • Step 3: Solve for x x using the zero-product property, which states that if the product of two factors is zero, then at least one of the factors must be zero.

Now, solve the equation:
Step 1: Set x+7=0 x+7 = 0 , which gives x=7 x = -7 .
Step 2: Set x+2=0 x+2 = 0 , which gives x=2 x = -2 .

These values are the x x -coordinates where the function intersects the x-axis. Since the y-coordinates at each of these points is zero, the intersection points are (7,0) (-7,0) and (2,0) (-2,0) .

Therefore, the points of intersection are (2,0)(-2,0) and (7,0)(-7,0).

3

Final Answer

(2,0),(7,0) (-2,0),(-7,0)

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • X-Intercepts: Set function equal to zero to find intersection points
  • Zero Product Property: If (x+7)(x+2)=0 (x+7)(x+2) = 0 then x = -7 or x = -2
  • Verification: Check that y-coordinates are zero: (7+7)(7+2)=0 (-7+7)(-7+2) = 0

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing the signs when solving linear factors
    Don't solve x+7 = 0 and get x = 7! This gives wrong intersection points like (7,0) instead of (-7,0). The plus sign in the factor means you subtract to solve: x = -7. Always remember that x+a = 0 means x = -a.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

The following function has been graphed below:

\( f(x)=-x^2+5x+6 \)

Calculate points A and B.

BBBAAACCC

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I set the function equal to zero?

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The x-axis is where y = 0! To find where the parabola crosses the x-axis, you need to find all x-values that make y equal zero.

What if the function wasn't factored already?

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You'd need to factor the quadratic first or use other methods like the quadratic formula. Since y=(x+7)(x+2) y = (x+7)(x+2) is already factored, we can use the zero product property directly!

How do I remember which sign to use?

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When you have (x+7)=0 (x+7) = 0 , think: "What number plus 7 equals zero?" The answer is -7, so x = -7. The sign is always opposite to what's in the parentheses.

Why are the y-coordinates always zero?

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By definition, any point on the x-axis has a y-coordinate of zero! That's what makes it the x-axis. So intersection points with the x-axis are always in the form (x, 0).

Can a quadratic have more than two x-intercepts?

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No! A quadratic function can have at most two x-intercepts. It might have exactly two (like this problem), exactly one, or none at all, but never more than two.

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