Question

The graph of a quadratic function intercepts the x-axis in two places and the y-axis in one place. According to the fundamental theorem of algebra, which of the following statements is correct? A. The quadratic function has no real zeros and two complex zeros. B. The quadratic function has one distinct real zero and one distinct complex zero. C. The quadratic function has two distinct real zeros and one distinct complex zero. D. The quadratic function has two distinct real zeros.

Answer 1

Answer: D. The quadratic function has two distinct real zeros.

There are no complex roots as a quadratic's roots are maxed out at 2. The fundamental theorem of algebra says that if you have an nth degree polynomial, then the max number of real roots is n.

This quadratic's roots are distinct because the two x intercepts are in different places. Each x intercept is a root.