Science, Tech, Math › Math What are the Zeros of a Quadratic Function? Print BFG Images/Getty Images Math Pre Algebra & Algebra Math Tutorials Geometry Arithmetic Statistics Exponential Decay Worksheets By Grade Resources By Jennifer Ledwith Jennifer Ledwith Math Expert B.B.A., Finance and Economics, University of Oklahoma Jennifer Ledwith is the owner of tutoring and test-preparation company Scholar Ready, LLC and a professional writer, covering math-related topics. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on December 07, 2017 The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola. A parabola can cross the x-axis once, twice, or never. These points of intersection are called x-intercepts or zeros. In your textbook, a quadratic function is full of x's and y's. This article focuses on the practical applications of quadratic functions. In the real world, the x's and y's are replaced with real measures of time, distance, and money. To avoid confusion, this article focuses on zeros and not x-intercepts. Four Methods of Finding the Zeros Quadratic Formula Factoring Completing the Square Graphing This article focuses on using a graph to identify the zeros. Before you begin this tutorial, make sure that you can confidently plot ordered pairs on a Cartesian Plane. Two Zeros Portra Images/DigitalVision/Getty Images Living from paycheck to paycheck is rough. Granted, you can't take it with you, but it's no fun commemorating the first and last of each month with a meal of Alpo and saltines. Tired of this boom-to-bust cycle (and eating dog food), Teresa has decided to study her checking account balance over the course of a month. Questions Where are the zeros on this graph?What do they mean? Two Zeros - Answers Adam Gault/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images 1. Where are the zeros on this graph? The zeros are located at (0,0) and (30,0). 2. What do they mean? (0,0): At the beginning of the month, Teresa has $0 in her bank account.(30,0): At the end of the month, Teresa has $0 in her bank account. Read More Understanding the X-Intercept of a Quadratic Function By Jennifer Ledwith One Zero Rebecca Nelson/Moment/Getty Images At the carnival, revelers line up to ride the Ultra Cyclone Monster. After standing in line for an hour, Bianca and her cousins take their seats on the ride. When the ride returns to the loading dock, a camera automatically captures the riders. Then the Monster hurtles the riders to the horizon. Questions Where is the zero on this graph?What does it mean? One Zero - Answers Rudi Von Briel/Photolibrary/Getty Images 1. Where is the zero on this graph? (5,0) 2. What does it mean? Passengers of the Ultra Cyclone Monster need to say "Cheese" when the ride hits its 5 second mark. No Zeros Ian Cumming/Perspectives/Getty Images Reza, a gold merchant, has noticed that gold prices resemble a quadratic function. Questions Where are the zeros of this function?What does it mean? No Zeros - Answers Katarina Premfors/arabianEYE/Getty Images 1. Where are the zeros of this function? Nowhere 2. What does it mean? Over the last 14 years, Reza has always charged more than $0 for the precious metal. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Ledwith, Jennifer. "What are the Zeros of a Quadratic Function?" ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/zeros-of-a-quadratic-function-2311830. Ledwith, Jennifer. (2023, April 5). What are the Zeros of a Quadratic Function? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/zeros-of-a-quadratic-function-2311830 Ledwith, Jennifer. "What are the Zeros of a Quadratic Function?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/zeros-of-a-quadratic-function-2311830 (accessed April 19, 2024). copy citation