When using -b/2a with functions, should I ignore the negative, figure out b/2a and then put a negative around it? Or should I turn 2a into -2a? Or should I go -b/-2(-a)? Thanks for clearing this up!!!
To understand how to use the expression -b/2a properly with functions, it's helpful to review the context in which this expression is typically used.
In mathematics, specifically when dealing with quadratic equations of the form ax^2 + bx + c = 0, the quadratic formula is often used to find the roots or solutions of the equation. The quadratic formula is given by x = (-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac))/(2a).
Now, in the quadratic formula, you may notice the expression -b/2a. Here's the breakdown of how to work with it:
1. Simplify -b/2a: Start by taking the negative of b, which gives you -b, then divide it by 2a. So, -b/2a is the correct simplified form.
2. Keep the negative sign separate: It's important to note that the negative sign in front of b is only applied to b, not to the entire fraction. It is used to indicate subtraction, not to negate the entire value. So, don't put a negative around the entire fraction.
To summarize, you should represent the expression -b/2a without additional negative signs or converting a into -a. Simply use -b/2a as it is to correctly represent -b divided by 2a.
If you want to use the quadratic formula to solve quadratic equations, plug -b/2a into the expression for x in the quadratic formula mentioned earlier, and then evaluate the equation by considering both the plus (+) and minus (-) signs for the square root term. This will give you the two possible solutions for the quadratic equation.