# finding x intercepts of a parabolla

• May 5th 2012, 03:10 PM
davellew69
finding x intercepts of a parabolla
help...I have been at the following for 3 hours and am so lost

I have the equation y=2x^2-7x-4 and I am trying to find the x and y intercept ( for a parabolla)

I have found the y intercept which is-4 but I`m lost on finding the x intercept, would I use the quadratic formula , if so am I correct that this way will give me both intercepts (x and y)

I have tried factoring the above to get x intercept but have got so confused.

not sure now which way to go

Dave
• May 5th 2012, 03:33 PM
skeeter
Re: finding x intercepts of a parabolla
$2x^2 - 7x - 4 = 0$

$(2x + 1)(x - 4) = 0$

finish it
• May 5th 2012, 03:34 PM
davellew69
Re: finding x intercepts of a parabolla
thanks, now I see it
• May 5th 2012, 03:51 PM
davellew69
Re: finding x intercepts of a parabolla
soory I thought I had it, but i`m still lost, I can`t see how you get to your answer in brackets, , and how from there I get the intercepts

Dave
• May 5th 2012, 03:58 PM
skeeter
Re: finding x intercepts of a parabolla
Quote:

Originally Posted by davellew69
soory I thought I had it, but i`m still lost, I can`t see how you get to your answer in brackets, , and how from there I get the intercepts

Dave

then you need to learn how to factor quadratic equations and how to use the zero product property ...

Solving Quadratic Equations: Solving by Factoring
• May 5th 2012, 03:59 PM
davellew69
Re: finding x intercepts of a parabolla