Find Coefficients in y=-x-3x²: Complete Polynomial Analysis

Standard Form with Coefficient Identification

Identify the coefficients based on the following equation

y=x3x2 y=-x-3x^2

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Find the function coefficients
00:03 Use the formula for representing a quadratic equation
00:12 Arrange the equation to match the formula
00:29 Separate the unknown from the coefficient
00:40 Compare the formula to our equation and find the coefficients
00:53 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

Identify the coefficients based on the following equation

y=x3x2 y=-x-3x^2

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we will write the given function in standard form:

The function provided is y=x3x2 y = -x - 3x^2 . Our goal is to express it in the standard form y=ax2+bx+c y = ax^2 + bx + c .

  • Step 1: Reorder the terms: Write the quadratic term first, followed by the linear term and then the constant.

Thus, the given function becomes y=3x2x+0 y = -3x^2 - x + 0 .

  • Step 2: Identify the coefficients a a , b b , and c c :

From the expression y=3x2x+0 y = -3x^2 - x + 0 , we observe:

  • The coefficient a a is -3 (from the term 3x2-3x^2).

  • The coefficient b b is -1 (from the term x-x).

  • The coefficient c c is 0 (as there is no constant term).

Therefore, the correct choice displaying these coefficients is a=3 a = -3 , b=1 b = -1 , and c=0 c = 0 , which corresponds to choice 4.

Thus, the solution is:

a=3,b=1,c=0 a = -3, b = -1, c = 0

3

Final Answer

a=3,b=1,c=0 a=-3,b=-1,c=0

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Standard Form: Always write quadratic as ax2+bx+c ax^2 + bx + c
  • Reorder Terms: Change x3x2 -x - 3x^2 to 3x2x+0 -3x^2 - x + 0
  • Verify Coefficients: Check a = -3, b = -1, c = 0 by expanding back ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Reading coefficients from original order
    Don't read coefficients directly from y = -x - 3x² = wrong order! This gives you the linear coefficient first instead of the quadratic coefficient. Always rewrite in standard form ax² + bx + c first, then identify a, b, and c.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

What is the value of the coefficient \( c \) in the equation below?

\( 4x^2+9x-2 \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I need to rewrite the equation in standard form?

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Standard form ax2+bx+c ax^2 + bx + c puts terms in degree order (highest power first). This makes it easy to identify which coefficient goes with which term without confusion!

What if there's no constant term like in this problem?

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When there's no constant term, c = 0. You can think of it as having +0 +0 at the end: 3x2x+0 -3x^2 - x + 0 .

How do I remember which coefficient is which?

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Use the pattern: a goes with x2 x^2 , b goes with x x , and c is the constant (no variable). Think 'ABC' in decreasing powers!

What if the coefficient of x is just -x instead of -1x?

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Great observation! When you see x -x , the coefficient is -1 (not just 'negative'). The 1 is invisible but still there: 1x -1x .

Can I check my answer somehow?

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Yes! Expand your coefficients back: a=3,b=1,c=0 a=-3, b=-1, c=0 gives 3x2+(1)x+0=3x2x -3x^2 + (-1)x + 0 = -3x^2 - x , which matches the original when reordered!

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