Parabola Question

Question

Q: Draw a parabola that has exactly 3 x-intercepts. Please give an equation with numbers that can be graphed or drawn to show this.

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

Sarah, the closest you can get is having 2 x-intercepts. 

 

y = x² has one, (0,0). In order to have two, our parabola's vertex has to be below the x-axis and open up, like y = x² - 2, or above the x-axis and open down, like y = -5x² + 5.

 

Hope this helps!