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Advanced MathMediumLarger zero of a quadratic

Advanced Math practice question

The function f is defined by f(x) = x² − 4x − 12. The function has two zeros. What is the larger zero?

Answer: 6

Factor: x² − 4x − 12 = (x − 6)(x + 2), so the zeros are 6 and −2. The larger is 6.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 2
2 is the x-coordinate of the vertex (halfway between the zeros), not a zero.
If you answered 12
12 is the constant term, not a zero: f(12) = 84.
If you answered -2
−2 is the SMALLER zero.

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