Solve to find the zeros of y = -0.8x Replace y = 0 Eliminate the constant c by undoing + 84 Divide by the coefficient A on both sides. Undo -0.8 Eliminate the squaring by taking the square root of both sides. Remember that there are always two answers when taking the square root. 0 = -0.8x = -0.8x = x and = x
So the zeros of the function are located at: (10.2, 0) and (-10.2, 0)
Solve to find the zeros of y = -x Replace y = 0 Eliminate the constant c by undoing + 35 Divide by the coefficient A on both sides. Undo -1 Eliminate the squaring by taking the square root of both sides. Remember that there are always two answers when taking the square root. 0 = -x = -x 2 35 = x and -5.9 = x
So the zeros of the function are located at: (5.9, 0) and (-5.9, 0)
Summary to solve by the square root method: Only can be used for functions in the form: y = ax 2 + c Set the function equal to zero Undo the constant c on both sides Divide by the coefficient a on both sides Take the square root of both sides; remembering that there are two possible answers; a positive and a negative.