What is the vertex of y=-x^2-3x+9 y=x23x+9?

1 Answer
Jun 26, 2018

Vertex: (-1.5, 11.25)(1.5,11.25)

Explanation:

y = -x^2 - 3x + 9y=x23x+9

To find the xx-coordinate of the vertex of a standard quadratic equation (y = ax^2 + bx + cy=ax2+bx+c), we use the formula (-b)/(2a)b2a.

We know that a = -1a=1 and b = -3b=3, so let's plug them into the formula:
x = (-(-3))/(2(-1)) = 3/-2 = -1.5x=(3)2(1)=32=1.5

To find the yy-coordinate of the vertex, just plug in the xx-coordinate back into the original equation:
y = -(-1.5)^2 - 3(-1.5) + 9y=(1.5)23(1.5)+9

y = -2.25 + 4.5 + 9y=2.25+4.5+9

y = 11.25y=11.25

Therefore, the vertex is at (-1.5, 11.25)(1.5,11.25).

Here's a graph of this equation (desmos.com):
enter image source here

As you can see, the vertex is indeed at (-1.5, 11.25)(1.5,11.25).

Hope this helps!