Question

Difficulty: MediumQuadratic Functions and Graphs

In the xyxy-plane, the graph of the quadratic function ff has a vertex at (h,k)(h, k), where hh and kk are constants. The graph passes through the points (1,10)(1, 10) and (7,10)(7, 10). If the minimum value of the function ff is 11, what is the value of f(2)f(2)?

Answer: 5

Answer

The value of f(2)f(2) is 5.
The correct answer is 5. Since the graph of the quadratic function passes through (1,10)(1, 10) and (7,10)(7, 10), the axis of symmetry is the vertical line halfway between x=1x = 1 and x=7x = 7, which is x=1+72=4x = \frac{1+7}{2} = 4. The minimum value of the function is 11, which occurs at the vertex, so the vertex is (4,1)(4, 1). In vertex form, the function is f(x)=a(x4)2+1f(x) = a(x-4)^2 + 1. Substituting the point (1,10)(1, 10) yields 10=a(14)2+110 = a(1-4)^2 + 1, which simplifies to 9=9a9 = 9a, so a=1a = 1. The function is f(x)=(x4)2+1f(x) = (x-4)^2 + 1. Evaluating this function at x=2x = 2 gives f(2)=(24)2+1=5f(2) = (2-4)^2 + 1 = 5.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Find the xx-coordinate of the vertex using the symmetry of the parabola.
h=4h = 4
A parabola is symmetric about its vertical axis of symmetry. Since the points (1,10)(1, 10) and (7,10)(7, 10) have the same yy-coordinate, the axis of symmetry is exactly halfway between their xx-coordinates: x=1+72=4x = \frac{1 + 7}{2} = 4.
2
Find the vertex coordinates using the minimum value of the function.
Vertex is (4,1)(4, 1)
The vertex of a quadratic function with a minimum value lies on the axis of symmetry, and its yy-coordinate is the minimum value. Thus, the vertex (h,k)(h, k) is (4,1)(4, 1).
3
Write the vertex form of the quadratic function and solve for the leading coefficient aa.
f(x)=(x4)2+1f(x) = (x - 4)^2 + 1
Using the vertex form f(x)=a(xh)2+kf(x) = a(x - h)^2 + k, we substitute h=4h = 4 and k=1k = 1 to get f(x)=a(x4)2+1f(x) = a(x - 4)^2 + 1. Substituting the point (1,10)(1, 10) gives 10=a(14)2+1    9=9a    a=110 = a(1 - 4)^2 + 1 \implies 9 = 9a \implies a = 1.
4
Evaluate f(2)f(2) using the determined function.
f(2)=5f(2) = 5
Substitute x=2x = 2 into the equation f(x)=(x4)2+1f(x) = (x - 4)^2 + 1 to obtain f(2)=(24)2+1=4+1=5f(2) = (2 - 4)^2 + 1 = 4 + 1 = 5.

Key Concept

Using symmetry and the vertex form of a quadratic function to determine its equation and evaluate values.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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