Determine the zero(s) of the quadratic function y=6x2+13x+5

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To find the zeros of the quadratic function \( y = 6x^2 + 13x + 5 \), we can use the quadratic formula:

\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]

where \( a = 6 \), \( b = 13 \), and \( c = 5 \).

Step 1: Identify coefficients

  • \( a = 6 \)
  • \( b = 13 \)
  • \( c = 5 \)

Step 2: Calculate the discriminant

The discriminant (\( D \)) is given by:

\[ D = b^2 - 4ac \]

Substituting in the values of \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \):

\[ D = 13^2 - 4 \cdot 6 \cdot 5 \] \[ D = 169 - 120 \] \[ D = 49 \]

Step 3: Find the roots using the quadratic formula

Now that we have calculated the discriminant, we can substitute it back into the quadratic formula:

\[ x = \frac{-13 \pm \sqrt{49}}{2 \cdot 6} \]

Calculating \( \sqrt{49} \):

\[ \sqrt{49} = 7 \]

Now substituting this value back into the equation:

\[ x = \frac{-13 \pm 7}{12} \]

Step 4: Calculate the two possible values for \( x \)

First root:

\[ x_1 = \frac{-13 + 7}{12} = \frac{-6}{12} = -\frac{1}{2} \]

Second root:

\[ x_2 = \frac{-13 - 7}{12} = \frac{-20}{12} = -\frac{5}{3} \]

Step 5: State the zeros of the function

The zeros of the quadratic function \( y = 6x^2 + 13x + 5 \) are:

\[ x = -\frac{1}{2} \quad \text{and} \quad x = -\frac{5}{3} \]