To derive the quadratic formula, we can multiply \(ax^2+bx+c=0\) by an expression so that the coefficient of \(x^2\) is a perfect square and the coefficient of \(x\) is an even number.
Which expression, \(a\), \(2a\), or \(4a\), would you multiply \(ax^2+bx+c=0\) by to get started deriving the quadratic formula?
What does the equation \(ax^2+bx+c=0\) look like when you multiply both sides by your answer?
On the same coordinate plane, sketch and label the graph that represents each equation:
\(y=\text-x^2-4\)
\(y=2x^2+4\)
A curve in an x y plane, origin O. Horizontal axis, scale negative 8 to 8, by 2’s. Vertical axis, scale negative 12 to 12, by 2’s. A curve, labeled y equals x squared, passes through the points negative 2 comma 4, 0 comma 0, and 2 comma 4.