Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Quadratic Functions
A quadratic function is a polynomial function of degree two, typically expressed in the form f(x) = ax² + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants. The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola, which can open upwards or downwards depending on the sign of the coefficient 'a'. Understanding the general shape and properties of parabolas is essential for analyzing their domains and ranges.
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Domain of a Function
The domain of a function refers to the set of all possible input values (x-values) for which the function is defined. For quadratic functions, the domain is typically all real numbers, as there are no restrictions on the values that x can take. Identifying the domain is crucial for understanding the behavior of the function across its entire graph.
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Range of a Function
The range of a function is the set of all possible output values (y-values) that the function can produce. For a quadratic function that opens downwards, like the one described with a maximum value, the range will be all values less than or equal to the maximum point. In this case, since the maximum is -6, the range would be (-∞, -6]. Understanding the range helps in determining the vertical extent of the graph.
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