To find the zeros of the quadratic function \( y = x^2 + 15x + 36 \), we can use the quadratic formula:
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]
In this function, the coefficients are:
- \( a = 1 \)
- \( b = 15 \)
- \( c = 36 \)
Now, let's calculate the discriminant (\( b^2 - 4ac \)): \[ b^2 - 4ac = 15^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot 36 = 225 - 144 = 81 \]
Since the discriminant is positive, there are two distinct real zeros.
Now we can substitute the values into the quadratic formula: \[ x = \frac{-15 \pm \sqrt{81}}{2 \cdot 1} = \frac{-15 \pm 9}{2} \]
Calculating the two possible values for \( x \):
-
For the positive case: \[ x = \frac{-15 + 9}{2} = \frac{-6}{2} = -3 \]
-
For the negative case: \[ x = \frac{-15 - 9}{2} = \frac{-24}{2} = -12 \]
Thus, the zeros of the quadratic function are \( x = -12 \) and \( x = -3 \).
Now, we can list them:
- Smaller zero: \( x = -12 \)
- Greater zero: \( x = -3 \)
Final answer:
- Smaller zero: \( x = -12 \)
- Greater zero: \( x = -3 \)