Q. \(x^2 – 4x + 24\)
Answer
We complete the square by factoring the quadratic:
\[
x^2 – 4x + 24 = (x-2)^2 + 20
\]
This quadratic has discriminant
\[
\Delta = (-4)^2 – 4(1)(24) = 16 – 96 = -80 < 0
\]
So it has no real zeros and is always positive.
Final result: \((x-2)^2 + 20\)
Detailed Explanation
We are given the expression
\[
x^2 – 4x + 24
\]
Since the problem is just to write out or simplify the expression, we first check whether it can be factored into smaller polynomial factors.
The expression is a quadratic of the form
\[
ax^2 + bx + c
\]
Here,
\[
a = 1,\quad b = -4,\quad c = 24
\]
To factor \(x^2 – 4x + 24\), we would need two numbers that:
1. Multiply to \(24\), but
2. Add to \(-4\).
List factor pairs of \(24\):
\[
1\cdot 24 = 24,\quad 2\cdot 12 = 24,\quad 3\cdot 8 = 24,\quad 4\cdot 6 = 24
\]
Now check their sums:
\(1 + 24 = 25\) does not equal \(-4\).
\(2 + 12 = 14\) does not equal \(-4\).
\(3 + 8 = 11\) does not equal \(-4\).
\(4 + 6 = 10\) does not equal \(-4\).
Try negative possibilities that would give a negative sum:
\(-1 + (-24) = -25\) does not equal \(-4\).
\(-2 + (-12) = -14\) does not equal \(-4\).
\(-3 + (-8) = -11\) does not equal \(-4\).
\(-4 + (-6) = -10\) does not equal \(-4\).
So there are no integers that satisfy both conditions, meaning the quadratic does not factor nicely over the integers.
To further confirm, we can compute the discriminant \( \Delta \) of the quadratic.
\[
\Delta = b^2 – 4ac
\]
Substitute \(a=1\), \(b=-4\), \(c=24\):
\[
\Delta = (-4)^2 – 4(1)(24)
\]
\[
\Delta = 16 – 96
\]
\[
\Delta = -80
\]
Because the discriminant is negative (\(-80\)), the quadratic has no real (and no integer) factorization.
Therefore, the expression is already in simplest polynomial form.
Final answer:
\[
x^2 – 4x + 24
\]
Graph
Algebra FAQ
What are the roots of \(x^2-4x+24=0\)?
Can you factor \(x^2-4x+24\) over real numbers?
What is the vertex form of \(x^2-4x+24\)?
What is the minimum value of \(x^2-4x+24\) for real \(x\)?
Is the quadratic always positive or can it be negative?
What are the axis of symmetry and direction of opening?
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