Question

Solve each equation by graphing. If integral roots cannot be found, estimate the roots to the nearest tenth.

$x^2-x-12=0$

Short answer

The roots of the equation${\mathit{x}}^{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{-}\mathit{x}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{12}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{0}$ are$\mathit{x}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{3}$ and role="math" localid="1647865845332" $\mathit{x}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{4}$.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Define the standard form of the quadratic function.

A quadratic function, which is written in the form, $f\left(x\right)=a{x}^2+bx+c$, where, $a\ne 0$ is called the standard form of the quadratic function.

Step 2. Rewrite the equation x2−x−12=0 in the form fx=ax2+bx+c. 

Write the equation $x^2-x-12=0$ in standard form.

This equation is already in standard form.

Write the equation $x^2-x-12=0$ in the form $f\left(x\right)=a{x}^2+bx+c$.

$f\left(x\right)=x^2-x-12$

Step 3. Plot the graph of the function fx=x2−x−12.

The graph of the function is shown below.

Step 4. Solve the equation x2−x−12=0 from the graph of the function.  fx=x2−x−12

Observe the graph of the function $f\left(x\right)=x^2-3x-4$.

The graph intersects the $x$-axis at the points $x=-3$and $x=4$.

Therefore the roots of the equation $x^2-3x-4=0$ are $x=-3$ and $x=4$.