what is the axis of symmetry of the graph of the function y=7(x+1)(x-3)?

Question

anonymous · Answer

take the average of the zeros....  what are the zeros in your equation?

anonymous · Answer

1 and -3?

anonymous · Answer

close..

anonymous · Answer

is it the opposites?

anonymous · Answer

yes...
zeros are the x-coordinates when y=0

anonymous · Answer

so your equation:  y=7(x+1)(x-3)
when y=0:           0=7(x+1)(x-3)
solve for x..

anonymous · Answer

so -1 and 3

anonymous · Answer

once you find them, take the average to get the line of symmetry.

anonymous · Answer

yes...

anonymous · Answer

so its x=1??

anonymous · Answer

Would be worthwhile to simplify and graph this function to see how these points are related.

anonymous · Answer

so its wrong?

anonymous · Answer

@dpaInc

anonymous · Answer

nothing's wrong...  what @CliffSedge  is suggesting is so you can "see" where the zeros are in relation to the axis of symmetry... 

i suggest that too...

anonymous · Answer

oh ok, I understand. thanks both for the help (:

anonymous · Answer

then u can see why you take the average of the zeros...

anonymous · Answer

Yeah, 'cause I know I'm a visual guy. All the analytical stuff is great, but if I can *see* it, then it makes a lot more sense.

anonymous · Answer

same here... visual..

anonymous · Answer

yeah I graphed it and I see what u guys mean,thanks again