Joanna Ratigan Report: Investigation into the Linear Form of a Quadratic Aim: To find a pattern in the factored form

of a quadratic that says what its graph will look like. Results:

Y=(x-2)(x-4)

Y=(x-2)(x-1)

Y=(x+3)(x-2)

Y=(x+5)(x+1)

Based on my results, it seems that in the linear equation y= (x-a)(x-b), a and b determine where the parabola crosses the x-axis. If the value of a is negative, the line will cross the x-axis on the positive side of 0. If the value of b is positive, then the line will cross the x-axis on the negative side of 0. The same goes for b. I found this by testing different positive and negative values of a and b. In doing so, I discovered a pattern between positive and negative numbers. In the first

example above, the equation reads y= (x-2)(x-4); when a and b are equal to -2 and -4, the curve crosses the x-axis at +2 and +4. Testing the Rule 1. Y=(x-3)(x-6) A is equal to -3, and b is equal to -6. With this information, I predict that the two points of intersection across the x-axis will be +3 and +6.

The x-intercepts are at +3 and +6.

2. Y=(x+4)(x-1) A is equal to +4 and b is equal to -1. I predict that the two points of intersection across the x-axis will be -4 and +1.

The x-intercepts are -4 and +1.

3. Y=(x+5)(x+2) A is equal to +5 and b is equal to +2. I predict that the two points of intersection across the x-axis will be -5 and -2.

The x-intercepts are -5 and -2.

Limitations of the Rule Using my GDC, I tested whether this rule works with irrational numbers and non-integers. I input the equation y=(x-1)(x-), and the x-intercepts were +1 and +. I tried again using the equation y=(x-1)(x-3.22156), and as predicted, the line crossed the x-axis at +1 and +3.22156. I also tested whether putting another number before the parentheses would make a difference, making the equation read y=c(x-a)(x-b).

This image shows the following equations: Y=(x-1)(x-3) Y=4(x-1)(x-3) Y=8(x-1)(x-3) I noticed that whatever number comes before the parentheses, the curve bends at an angle so that the x-intercepts stay the same, and so that the curve goes all the way down to the number on the y-axis. Y=4(x-1)(x-3) has the line reaching all the way down to -4. Y=(x-1)(x-3) only reaches -1, and y=8(x-1)(x-3) goes down to the -8 mark on the y-axis.