What can you say about the range of a quadratic polynomial with a positive leading coefficient?
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When a quadratic polynomial has a positive leading coefficient, its graph opens upwards, resembling a smiling face! This means that the minimum value is situated at the vertex of the parabola, and it extends infinitely upward from there. So, if you plot your quadratic \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \) (where \( a > 0 \)), the range of the function will be from the y-coordinate of the vertex to positive infinity, providing a clear pathway for any positive y-values. To find the exact vertex and thus the minimum y-value, you can use the formula \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \). Once you have the x-coordinate, substitute it back into the polynomial to find the corresponding y-coordinate. This will give you the starting point of your range, making it a straightforward adventure in polynomial exploration!