The area of the triangle formed by x- and y-intercepts of the parabol y=0.5(x-3.5)(x+k) is equal to 1.5 square units. Find all possible values of k.
y = 0.5(x-3.5)(x+k)
when x = 0 1.75k = y intercept
when y = 0 x = 3.5 or -k = x intercept
Formula for area of a triangle 1/2 b h or 1/2 x intercept * y intercept for this problem
1/2 (1.75k * 3.5) = 1.5
k = .4897959
1/2 ( 1.75k * (-k)) = 1.5
k = imaginary
I often verify answers like these with Desmos.....here is a picture: