How to find the axis of symmetry from a quadratic equation?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the method to determine the axis of symmetry for a quadratic equation. The axis of symmetry can be found using the formula x = -b/2a, where a and b are the coefficients from the quadratic equation in the standard form ax^2 + bx + c.
Answer
The axis of symmetry is $x = -\frac{b}{2a}$.
Answer for screen readers
The axis of symmetry is given by the formula $x = -\frac{b}{2a}$.
Steps to Solve
- Identify the coefficients
Start by identifying the coefficients $a$ and $b$ from the quadratic equation in standard form $ax^2 + bx + c$.
- Use the axis of symmetry formula
Plug the values of $a$ and $b$ into the axis of symmetry formula:
$$ x = -\frac{b}{2a} $$
- Calculate the axis of symmetry
Perform the calculation using your identified values to find the axis of symmetry.
The axis of symmetry is given by the formula $x = -\frac{b}{2a}$.
More Information
The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that divides the parabola into two mirror images. It is a key concept in understanding the properties of quadratic functions.
Tips
- Mistaking the values of $a$ and $b$: Make sure to double-check that you are using the correct coefficients from the quadratic equation.
- Forgetting to divide by $2a$: Ensure that you include the entire denominator when applying the formula.
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