College Algebra (Abridged)

2 + + = 0

Where & are coefficients and is a constant. In order to find the values of unknown variables in a quadratic equation, one may guess and check, factor, or use the quadratic formula : = − ± √ 2 − 4 2 Let us solve an example: 5 2 + − 1 = 0 Plugging the values of = 5 , = 6 and = 1 in the above equation, we get: = − (6) ± � 6 2 − 4(5)(1) 2(5) = − 6 ± √ 16 10 = − 1, − 0.2 These solutions represent the -intercepts of the quadratic equation, as shown below.

1.11 Functions A function determines a relationship between different constants and/or variables. In other words, it maps a number or variable to another unique number. For instance, a function can be derived whereby a number added to 4 gives another number. In this case, if we apply this function to 3, we get the output of 7. This function can be mathematically written as: ( ) = + 4

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