How do I find the vertex?

Question

I understand how to find the vertex in a traditional quadratic equation.  How do I find it in a difference of two squares equation such as:  X^2 - 36 = 0 ?

Answer 1

I prefer to solve these the way Robert has suggested but you can also rewrite this as a "traditional" quadratic.

f(x) = x²-36 . Since there is no x term, just write this as 0x

f(x) = x²+ 0x -36  Now solve for the vertex as you would before.

Answer 2

If f(x) = x² - 36, then the vertex is at (0, -36).

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Attn: You can compare it with the vertex form y = a(x-h)² + k, where the vertex is at (h, k).