Question

What is the zero of the quadratic polynomial 4s2– 4s + 1 ???

Answer 1

s = 1/2

Explanation:

Solve for s:

4 s^2 - 4 s + 1 = 0

Divide both sides by 4:

s^2 - s + 1/4 = 0

Write the left hand side as a square:

(s - 1/2)^2 = 0

Take the square root of both sides:

s - 1/2 = 0

Add 1/2 to both sides:

Answer: s = 1/2

Answer 2

s =
`(1)/(2)`

Explanation:

To find the zero set the quadratic equal to zero, that is

4s² - 4s + 1 = 0 ← in standard form

(2s - 1)(2s- 1) = 0 ← in factored form

(2s - 1)² = 0 ← perfect square, thus

2s - 1 = 0 ⇒ 2s = 1 ⇒ s =
`(1)/(2)` ← is the zero