Final answer:
To find the minimum or maximum value of the function f(x)=-x^2-4x+3, we can use a technique called completing the square. The maximum value of the function is -2.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the minimum or maximum value of the function f(x)=-x^2-4x+3, we can use a technique called completing the square. This involves rewriting the function in vertex form, which allows us to easily determine the maximum or minimum value.
- First, we rewrite the function in vertex form: -x^2-4x+3 = -(x^2+4x)-3 = -(x^2+4x+4)+1-3 = -(x+2)^2-2
- The graph of a function in the form y=a(x-h)^2+k is a parabola that opens upwards if a is positive, or opens downwards if a is negative. Since the coefficient of x^2 is -1 in our function, the parabola opens downwards.
- Therefore, the maximum value of the function is the y-coordinate of the vertex. The vertex of the parabola is at the point (-2,-2), so the maximum value of f(x) is -2.