College Algebra Parabola Question

Question

Q: Draw a parabola that has exactly 3 x-intercepts.

 

Our teacher said that this is not possible, but we have to try to get something as close to it as possible. 

 

Please help, thank you!!

Answer 1

The equation of a parabola:

f(x) = a(x - h)² + k.

This is a quadratic, a polynomial of degree 2. It has at most 2 roots (x-intercepts).

No matter how hard/long/careful you try you cannot get three!