16Hit1600
Advanced MathVery hardConstant that puts a vertex on the x-axis

Advanced Math practice question

For what value of c does the graph of y = x² + 6x + c in the xy-plane have its vertex on the x-axis?

Answer: 9

The vertex is at x = −3, where y = 9 − 18 + c. Setting this to 0 gives c = 9.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 3
3 is the distance of the vertex from the y-axis.
If you answered 6
6 copies the coefficient of x.
If you answered -9
−9 has the sign wrong.

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