To analyze the quadratic equation \( y = 3x^2 - 24x + 48 \), we can identify several key characteristics that determine the shape of the graph:
-
Direction of the Opening: The coefficient of \( x^2 \) (which is 3) is positive. This means that the graph opens upward.
-
Vertex Position: We can find the vertex of a quadratic equation given by \( ax^2 + bx + c \) using the formula for the x-coordinate of the vertex, which is \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \). Here, \( a = 3 \) and \( b = -24 \):
\[ x = -\frac{-24}{2(3)} = \frac{24}{6} = 4 \]
The x-coordinate of the vertex is 4, which is to the right of the y-axis.
-
Position Relative to the x-axis: To determine if the entire graph lies above the x-axis, we can check the y-coordinate of the vertex. We can substitute \( x = 4 \) back into the equation to find \( y \):
\[ y = 3(4)^2 - 24(4) + 48 \] \[ = 3(16) - 96 + 48 \] \[ = 48 - 96 + 48 \] \[ = 0 \]
The vertex is at the point (4, 0), meaning that the graph touches the x-axis at this point, but does not lie entirely above it.
Given these points, we can summarize:
- The graph opens upward,
- The vertex is at \( x = 4 \) (to the right of the y-axis),
- The graph does not lie entirely above the x-axis; it touches the x-axis at the vertex.
Thus the most relevant answer choices are:
- The graph opens upward.
This is the correct option regarding the general shape of the associated graph.