Determine whether the quadratic function given has a maximum or minimum value: f(x) = 2x^2-8x+1

Question

find the maximum or minimum value of the function

Answer 1

Hi Kylie,

 

The second degree polynomial f(x) is of the form ax²+bx+c. A rule of thumb, if a is positive, the function has a minimum. If a is negative, the function has a maximum. The maximum/minimum are given by x=-b/(2a). Then, plug this value back into the function. The output will be your maximum/minimum. For your case, a=2, b=-8, and c=1.