How do you write f(x) = x^2+3x-4 in vertex form?

1 Answer
Oct 9, 2017

f(x)=(x+3/2)^2-25/4

Explanation:

"the equation of a parabola in "color(blue)"vertex form" is.

color(red)(bar(ul(|color(white)(2/2)color(black)(y=a(x-h)^2+k)color(white)(2/2)|)))

"where "(h,k)" are the coordinates of the vertex and a"
"is a multiplier"

"using the method of "color(blue)"completing the square"

• " ensure the coefficient of the "x^2" term is 1"

• " add/subtract "(1/2"coefficient of x-term")^2" to "x^2+3x

f(x)=x^2+3x-4larr" coefficient of "x^2" term is 1"

color(white)(f(x))=x^2+2(3/2)xcolor(red)(+9/4)color(red)(-9/4)-4

color(white)(f(x))=(x+3/2)^2-25/4larrcolor(red)" in vertex form"