To analyze the quadratic function \( f(x) = -2x^2 - 5x + 8 \), we can perform the following steps:
Find the vertex: The vertex of a quadratic function \( ax^2 + bx + c \) can be found using the formula \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \). Substitute this \( x \) value back into the function to get the \( y \)-coordinate of the vertex.
Find the roots: Use the quadratic formula \( x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \) to find the roots of the function.
Determine the y-intercept: The y-intercept is the value of the function when \( x = 0 \).
Step 1: Find the Vertex
The vertex of the quadratic function \( f(x) = -2x^2 - 5x + 8 \) can be found using the formula for the x-coordinate of the vertex:
\[ x = -\frac{b}{2a} \]
Substituting \( a = -2 \) and \( b = -5 \):
\[ x = -\frac{-5}{2(-2)} = -\frac{5}{-4} = 1.25 \]
To find the y-coordinate of the vertex, substitute \( x = 1.25 \) back into the function:
\[ y = -2(1.25)^2 - 5(1.25) + 8 \]
\[ y = -2(1.5625) - 6.25 + 8 \]
\[ y = -3.125 - 6.25 + 8 \]
\[ y = 11.125 \]
Thus, the vertex is:
\[ \left( -1.25, 11.125 \right) \]
Step 2: Find the Roots
The roots of the quadratic function can be found using the quadratic formula:
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]
Substituting \( a = -2 \), \( b = -5 \), and \( c = 8 \):
\[ \text{Discriminant} = b^2 - 4ac = (-5)^2 - 4(-2)(8) = 25 + 64 = 89 \]
Since the discriminant is positive, there are two real roots:
\[ x = \frac{-(-5) \pm \sqrt{89}}{2(-2)} \]
\[ x = \frac{5 \pm \sqrt{89}}{-4} \]