graph the parabola. showt the zeros and the maxima or minima.
y=x^2-6x+8

Question

anonymous · Answer

you find the zeros when you solve
x^2 - 6x + 8 = 0

you need the first derivative for maxima and minima
the same thing...
first derivative = 0

anonymous · Answer

that is true if this is a calculus question.

However the question may be answered without calculus

The max or min of a parabola is the vertex, 
the axis of symmetry is given by $$x=\frac{-b}{2a}$$
for the parabola in the form $$y=ax^2+bx+c$$

get the vertex by evaluating for y at this x value

moreover this parabola will have a min as the coefficient of x^2 is positive

anonymous · Answer

A plot of the parabola is attached.

anonymous · Answer

thanks yalll

anonymous · Answer

robtobey howd you get that?

anonymous · Answer

i have to show work :/

anonymous · Answer

The plot was generated by Mathematica 8 with this statement:

Plot[x^2-6x+8,{x,1,5}]

You might Google "how to plot a parabola"  I have never plotted a curve without Mathematica for years.