What is the axis of symmetry for f(x) = −3x2 + 12x − 6?

The axis of symmetry can be found by finding the average of the zeros, a derivation from the conservation of energy :P, or by finding the point when the velocity is equal to zero.

df/dx=-6x+12 so df/dx, velocity, equals zero when:

-6x+12=0

6x=12

x=2 so the axis of symmetry is the vertical line x=2

....

average of zeros...

3x^2-12x+6=0

x^2-4x+2=0

x^2-4x=-2

x^2-4x+4=2

(x-2)^2=2

x-2=±√2

x=2±√2 so the average of the zeros is obviously 2.

....

conservation of energy

vf-vi=at When vf=0, this is the maximum value for f(x)...

-vi=at, vi=b and a(acceleration)=2a(from quadratic) and t=x

-b=2ax

x=-b/(2a) in this case

x=-12/(2(-3))

x=-12/-6

x=2

ColinJacobus ColinJacobus · Answer 2 · 2019-03-25T18:36:30+01:00

Answer: The axis of symmetry is [tex]x=2.[/tex]

Step-by-step explanation: The given function is

[tex]f(x)=-3x^2+12x-6~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(i)[/tex]

We know that for the function [tex]f(x)=a(x-h)^2+k,[/tex] the axis of symmetry is given by

[tex]x=h.[/tex]

From equation (i), we have

[tex]f(x)=-3x^2+12x-6\\\\\Rightarrow f(x)=-3(x^2-4x)-6\\\\\Rightarrow f(x)=-3(x^2-4x+4)+12-6\\\\\Rightarrow f(x)=-3(x-2)^2-6.[/tex]

Therefore, the axis of symmetry for the given function is

[tex]x=2.[/tex]

Also, the graph of the function is shown in the attached figure. It is a parabola with vertex (2, 6) and axis of symmetry x = 2.