Vertex Intersection with X-Axis: Find X in the Parabolic Function

Question

The graph of the function below intersects the x x -axis at point A (the vertex of the parabola).

Find all values of x x where f\left(x\right) > 0 .

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we will look at the behavior of the quadratic function and determine when it is greater than zero:

  • Step 1: The intersection point A is the vertex, which means f(x)=a(xA)2+k f(x) = a(x - A)^2 + k for some constants a a and k=0 k=0 . This implies f(x) f(x) changes sign at its vertex.
  • Step 2: Determine if the parabola opens upwards or downwards. Since the graph of the function intersects the x x -axis at the vertex, there are no additional real roots, which indicates either f(x)0 f(x) \geq 0 or f(x)0 f(x) \leq 0 throughout. As f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 requires parts of the parabola above the x x -axis, the parabola must open upwards.
  • Step 3: For f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 , the graph being a parabola indicates positive x x intervals are outside of the vertex, i.e., x<A x < A and x>A x > A .
  • Step 4: The answers fitting this description are (b) x<A x < A and (c) x>A x > A , which combined correspond to option (d) "Answers (b) + (c) are correct".

Therefore, the correct intervals for f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 are both x<A x < A and x>A x > A , leading to:

Answers (b) + (c) are correct.

Answer

Answers (b) + (c) are correct.