1952 AHSME Problems/Problem 13

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Problem

The function $x^2+px+q$ with $p$ and $q$ greater than zero has its minimum value when:

$\textbf{(A) \ }x=-p  \qquad \textbf{(B) \ }x=\frac{p}{2} \qquad \textbf{(C) \ }x=-2p \qquad \textbf{(D) \ }x=\frac{p^2}{4q} \qquad$

$\textbf{(E) \ }x=\frac{-p}{2}$

Solution

The minimum value of this parabola is found at its turning point, on the line $\boxed{\textbf{(E)}\ x=\frac{-p}{2}}$. Indeed, the turning point of any function of the form $ax^2+bx+c$ has an x-coordinate of $\frac{-b}{2a}$. This can be seen at the average of the quadratic's two roots (whose sum is $\frac{-b}{a}$) or (using calculus) as the value of its derivative set equal to $0$.

See also

1952 AHSC (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 12
Followed by
Problem 14
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