GMAT Exam  >  GMAT Questions  >  Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4)... Start Learning for Free
Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses the y-axis at what y-coordinate?
  • a)
    -4
  • b)
    -1
  • c)
    0
  • d)
    1
  • e)
    4
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses t...
  1. This problem requires working backward from solutions to a quadratic equation to the equation itself.
    Instead of factoring a quadratic equation to solve it (the process many questions require), this question requires you to go the other way—from solutions to factors.
    f(x) = x2 + bx + c = 0
  2. The key to unlocking this problem is recognizing that if f(a) = 0 and f(x) is a quadratic equation in the form x2 + bx + c = 0, (x – a) is a factor of the equation.
    (x + d)(x + e) = x2 + dex + de = 0
  3. If this past step does not make sense immediately, take a look at a few examples and allow them to convince you of this truth.
    x2 + 3x - 4 = 0
    (x - 1)(x + 4)
    Solutions: f(1) = 0 or f(-4) = 0

    x2 -9x + 20 = 0
    (x – 4)(x – 5)
    Solutions: f(4) = 0 or f(5) = 0
  4. Following this same principle, you know that since f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, (x – 1) and (x + 4) are factors.
    (x – 1)(x + 4) = 0
  5. Multiply these factors together to form a quadratic equation.
    (x – 1)(x + 4) = 0
    x2 – x + 4x – 4 = 0
    x2 + 3x – 4 = 0
  6. For any quadratic equation in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0, the y-intercept (i.e., the place where the equation crosses the y-axis) is c.
    Even if you did not know this, you could still find the y-axis. The line will cross the y-axis where x = 0.
    f(0) = (0)2 + 3(0) – 4 = -4
  7. Y-Intercept is -4
Free Test
Community Answer
Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses t...
  1. This problem requires working backward from solutions to a quadratic equation to the equation itself.
    Instead of factoring a quadratic equation to solve it (the process many questions require), this question requires you to go the other way—from solutions to factors.
    f(x) = x2 + bx + c = 0
  2. The key to unlocking this problem is recognizing that if f(a) = 0 and f(x) is a quadratic equation in the form x2 + bx + c = 0, (x – a) is a factor of the equation.
    (x + d)(x + e) = x2 + dex + de = 0
  3. If this past step does not make sense immediately, take a look at a few examples and allow them to convince you of this truth.
    x2 + 3x - 4 = 0
    (x - 1)(x + 4)
    Solutions: f(1) = 0 or f(-4) = 0

    x2 -9x + 20 = 0
    (x – 4)(x – 5)
    Solutions: f(4) = 0 or f(5) = 0
  4. Following this same principle, you know that since f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, (x – 1) and (x + 4) are factors.
    (x – 1)(x + 4) = 0
  5. Multiply these factors together to form a quadratic equation.
    (x – 1)(x + 4) = 0
    x2 – x + 4x – 4 = 0
    x2 + 3x – 4 = 0
  6. For any quadratic equation in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0, the y-intercept (i.e., the place where the equation crosses the y-axis) is c.
    Even if you did not know this, you could still find the y-axis. The line will cross the y-axis where x = 0.
    f(0) = (0)2 + 3(0) – 4 = -4
  7. Y-Intercept is -4
Attention GMAT Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed GMAT study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in GMAT.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Top Courses for GMAT

Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses the y-axis at what y-coordinate?a)-4b)-1c)0d)1e)4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses the y-axis at what y-coordinate?a)-4b)-1c)0d)1e)4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses the y-axis at what y-coordinate?a)-4b)-1c)0d)1e)4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses the y-axis at what y-coordinate?a)-4b)-1c)0d)1e)4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses the y-axis at what y-coordinate?a)-4b)-1c)0d)1e)4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GMAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses the y-axis at what y-coordinate?a)-4b)-1c)0d)1e)4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses the y-axis at what y-coordinate?a)-4b)-1c)0d)1e)4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses the y-axis at what y-coordinate?a)-4b)-1c)0d)1e)4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses the y-axis at what y-coordinate?a)-4b)-1c)0d)1e)4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c. If f(1) = 0 and f(-4) = 0, then f(x) crosses the y-axis at what y-coordinate?a)-4b)-1c)0d)1e)4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Top Courses for GMAT

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev