A group of students launches a model rocket from the top of a building. The
students have determined the equation y= − ;
(x+ 6)(x − 18) to describe the
<
height of the rocket above ground level, �, in metres, at any time, �, in seconds.
Determine the equation of the axis of symmetry
To find the axis of symmetry, we need to find the x-value of the vertex of the parabola given by the equation y = -1/((x+6)(x-18)).
The x-value of the vertex can be found using the formula x = -b/2a, where a = -1 and b = 0 (since there is no x-term in the equation).
Thus, the x-value of the vertex is x = 0/(-2) = 0.
Therefore, the equation of the axis of symmetry is x = 0.