Final answer:
To find the zeros of a quadratic function, you must use the quadratic formula with the coefficients of the function. The zeros can be computed by plugging the coefficients into the formula and simplifying the resulting expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Finding the Zeros of a Quadratic Function
To find the zeros of the quadratic function algebraically, you would set the function equal to zero and apply the quadratic formula, which is:
x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / (2a)
The equation presented, x² + 1.2 x 10^-2x - 6.0 × 10^-3 = 0, appears to have a typo. If the equation should be x² + 1.2 × 10^-2x - 6.0 × 10^-3 = 0, it represents a quadratic equation where a = 1, b = 1.2 × 10^-2, and c = -6.0 × 10^-3.
Substitute these values into the quadratic formula to calculate the zeros:
x = (-(1.2 × 10^-2) ± √((1.2 × 10^-2)² - 4(1)(-6.0 × 10^-3))) / (2 × 1)
By simplifying this expression, we'll get the two zeros of the equation. Remember to eliminate terms wherever possible to simplify the algebra and check the answer to see if it is reasonable.
Make note that quadratic equations based on physical data always have real roots, and it's often the positive values that are significant when it comes to applications in Two-Dimensional (x-y) Graphing.