3. Solve for the roots of the function below: \[ y=3 x^{2}-10 x-8 \]
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To find the roots of the quadratic function \( y = 3x^2 - 10x - 8 \), we can use the quadratic formula, which is given by \( x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \). Here, \( a = 3 \), \( b = -10 \), and \( c = -8 \). Plugging in these values, we find the roots, which can have practical implications in various fields, such as engineering and economics, where you might need to determine break-even points or optimize resources. Once you calculate the discriminant \( b^2 - 4ac = (-10)^2 - 4(3)(-8) = 100 + 96 = 196 \), you'll see it’s a positive number, indicating two real roots. This scenario is often encountered in nature, like when determining the trajectory of a ball or the shape of a parabolic bridge! The roots help predict where the function intersects the x-axis, making it a crucial element for graph analysis.