A parabola is graphed on a coordinate plane. The x-axis ranges from negative 5 to 5 in increments of 1. The y-axis ranges from negative 1 to 16 in increments of 1.

Determine which of the following statements is true about the parabola.

(1 point)
Responses

The y-intercept and the vertex share the same point.
The y -intercept and the vertex share the same point.

The vertex and the x-intercepts share the same point.
The vertex and the x -intercepts share the same point.

The y-intercept and the x-intercepts share the same point.
The y -intercept and the x -intercepts share the same point.

There is only one x-intercept.

1 answer

To determine the truth of these statements about a parabola, let's briefly analyze what each term typically means:

  1. Vertex: The highest or lowest point on the parabola, depending on its orientation (opening up or down).
  2. Y-intercept: The point where the parabola crosses the y-axis (x = 0).
  3. X-intercepts: The points where the parabola crosses the x-axis (y = 0).

Now let's evaluate the statements:

  1. The y-intercept and the vertex share the same point.
    This is generally not true for most parabolas, as the vertex can be at a different y-value compared to the y-intercept.

  2. The vertex and the x-intercepts share the same point.
    This statement is not typically true; for most parabolas, the vertex will not be on the x-axis unless it is a special case (a parabola that opens up or down and is tangent to the x-axis).

  3. The y-intercept and the x-intercepts share the same point.
    This can only be true if the parabola passes through the origin (0,0), which is also a specific case.

  4. There is only one x-intercept.
    This could be true if the parabola opens up or down and is tangent to the x-axis (making the vertex the only x-intercept).

Without seeing the specific parabola, the most universally applicable and likely true statement about many parabolas is:

There is only one x-intercept.

Because while the other statements can only be true in specific configurations, there are many parabolas (especially those that open up or down) that can have only one x-intercept if the vertex is located on the x-axis.

In conclusion, without additional details about the specific parabola's vertex and intercepts, the most plausible true statement is:

There is only one x-intercept.