How do you find the vertex and intercepts for y = 3(x - 2)^2+1?

1 Answer
Mar 17, 2016

The vertex is at:(2, 1)
There are no x-intercepts
The y-intercepts is at:(0, 13)

Explanation:

y=a(x - h)^2+k => Equation of the parabola in vertex form where the vertex is at:(h, k), so in this case:
y=3(x-2)^2+1 , the vertex is at:(2, 1)

To find the x-intercepts set y to zero and solve for x:
3(x-2)^2+1=0
3(x-2)^2=-1
(x-2)^2=-1/3 => Since the square of a number can not be negative the roots of this quadratic equation are complex i.e: no real roots, which means the parabola does not cross the x-axis hence there are no x-intercepts.

To find the y-intercept set x to zero and solve for y:
y=3(0-2)^2+1
y=3(-2)^2+1
y=3(4)+1
y=12+1
y=13
Hence the y-intercepts is at:(0, 13)