What real value of t produces the smallest value of the quadratic t^2 -9t - 36?
To find the minimum value, you can complete the square.
Using the formula \(a(t+d)^2+e\) where \(d=\frac{-b}{2a}\) and \(e=c-\frac{b^2}{4a}\), the completed square would be \((t-\frac{9}{2})^2-45\). Since squares cannot be negative, we see that the minimum value would be where \((t-\frac{9}{2})^2\) is 0. Thus \(t=\frac{9}{2}\)
There are a couple of other ways.... this is a bowl shaped parabola (because the leading coefficient is positive)
- b / 2a
= 9/2
or take the derivative and = 0
2t-9 = 0
2t=9
t=9/2