1. ## How do you find the minimum?(Quadratics)

Hi,
I'm in Grade Twelve Academic Math and I need to know how to find the minimum of any given problem.
PLEASE PUT DOWN STEPS to finding the minimum, not just writing a question then jumping to the answer.
I would really appreciate the help.

2. Originally Posted by Kagome
Hi,
I'm in Grade Twelve Academic Math and I need to know how to find the minimum of any given problem.
PLEASE PUT DOWN STEPS to finding the minimum, not just writing a question then jumping to the answer.
I would really appreciate the help.
You want to know how to find the minimum value of the function
$y = ax^2 + bx + c$
where a is a positive number.

Can you use Calculus or not?

-Dan

3. ## Math help

I don't think so, I'm not great at math yet I'm in academic math(not basic).

4. Originally Posted by Kagome
I don't think so, I'm not great at math yet I'm in academic math(not basic).
well, there are several ways of doing this. the two most prominent ways are to: (1) complete the square, or (2) use the vertex formula.

note that only quadratics where the coefficient of x^2 is positive have a minimum value, and it occurs at their vertex. post a specific question if you want to see these methods demonstrated

5. It should be $(\frac{-b}{2a},$ the value of x put into the original equation) right?

6. Originally Posted by SnipedYou
It should be $(\frac{-b}{2a},$ the value of x put into the original equation) right?
yes, $x = \frac {-b}{2a}$ gives the x-value for the vertex in any quadratic in x. (of the form $y = ax^2 + bx + c$)