Final answer:
The vertex of the profit function f(x) = -x^2 + 16x - 60 is (8, 4), meaning the maximum profit is $4 when 8 candles are sold. The x-intercepts are (6,0) and (10,0), indicating zero profit when either 6 or 10 candles are sold.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function given is a quadratic equation of the form f(x) = ax2 + bx + c, where the constants are a = -1, b = 16, and c = -60. To find the vertex of the parabola, we can use the formula -b/(2a) for the x-coordinate of the vertex.
Calculate the x-coordinate of the vertex: x = -b/(2a) = -16/(2 * -1) = 8.
Substitute x = 8 into the original function to find the y-coordinate: f(8) = -(8)2 + 16(8) - 60 = -64 + 128 - 60 = 4.
The vertex is at the point (8, 4). In the context of the problem, this point represents the maximum daily profit of $4, which occurs when 8 candles are sold.
To determine the x-intercepts, we set f(x) to zero and solve for x, which represents the number of candles sold when the profit is zero.
Set the function equal to zero and solve for x: 0 = -x2 + 16x - 60.
Apply the quadratic formula x = [-b ± sqrt(b2 - 4ac)]/(2a) to find the x-intercepts. In this case, a = -1, b = 16, and c = -60.
Calculate the discriminant, sqrt(162 - 4(-1)(-60)) = sqrt(256 - 240) = sqrt(16) = 4.
Find the two x-intercepts: x = [16 ± 4]/(2 * -1) which yields x = 6 and x = 10.
The x-intercepts (6,0) and (10,0) indicate the number of candles sold at which the profit would be zero, specifically at 6 and at 10 candles sold.