Question #82350

2 Answers
Jun 19, 2015

Neither of you is correct. The real zeros of this polynomial are 1 and 4.

Explanation:

The easiest way to see this is by using the quadratic formula.
If you have a polynomial in the form of ax + by + c, then you can find both the real zeros like this:
1) (-b-sqrt(b^2-4ac))/(2a)

2) (-b+sqrt(b^2-4ac))/(2a)

In this case a = -1, b = 5 and c = -4.
Plugging this in the formula you get:

1) (-5-sqrt(5^2-4*(-1)*(-4))) / (2(-1)) = 4

2) (-5+sqrt(5^2-4*(-1)*(-4))) / (2(-1)) = 1

So remember this formula:

(-b+-sqrt(b^2-4ac))/(2a)

Jun 19, 2015

There is no answer, where there is no question.

Explanation:

-x^2+5x-4 is an expression, it is not a question.

If the question is: "Evaluate -x^2+5x-4 when x=1, then your teacher is correct.

If the question is: "For what value of x does the expression evaluate to -868, then you are correct

If the question is something else, (Like where is the vertex of y=-x^2+5x-4) then it is possible that neither of you is correct.