Question

A student draws two parabolas both parabolas cross the x axis at (-4,0) and (6,0) the y intercept of the first parabolas is (0,-12). The y intercept of the second parabola is (0,-24) what is the positive difference between the a values for the two functions that describe the parabolas

Answer 1

0.5

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

The positive difference between the a values is 0.5

Step-by-step explanation:

we know that

Both parabolas cross the x axis at (-4,0) and (6,0)

so

The general equation is

$y=a(x+4)(x-6)$

Find the value of a in the first parabola

The y-intercept is (0,-12)

so

For $x=0, y=-12$

substitute

$y=a(x+4)(x-6)$

$-12=a(0+4)(0-6)$

$-12=a(-24)$

$a=0.5$

Find the value of a in the second parabola

The y-intercept is (0,-24)

so

For $x=0, y=-24$

substitute

$y=a(x+4)(x-6)$

$-24=a(0+4)(0-6)$

$-24=a(-24)$

$a=1$

Find the positive difference between the a values for the two functions

so

$1-0.5=0.5$