Write the steps for solving a quadratic equation using a graph

Question

tkhunny · Answer

Graph it.
Read the Answers.

Why do there have to be "steps"?

anonymous · Answer

Let me "interpret" it:
1/ make the chart (x, y table)
2/graph the function
3/ Mark the points where the graph "cut" (intersect) the x-axis. There are 3cases:
a) the graph doesn't "cut" the x-axis--> no solutioon
b) the graph touch the x-axis at 1 point--> only 1 solution
c) the graph cut the x-axis at 2 different points --> 2 distinct solutions

tkhunny · Answer

Right.  Graph it and read the answers.  {shakes head}  Why do books have to make it so hard?

anonymous · Answer

@tkhunny  there are so many students not know how to read the graph even the calculus1 students, :)

tkhunny · Answer

I agree.  I suspect many do not know how to read a graph because they were unable to memorize the six-step process to do so.

If, in the name of systematizing, we obfuscate the process and eliminate thinking, we have not done the student any favors.