Sketch the graph of y=x2−4y = x^2 - 4 and find its roots.

Answer: The roots of the equation y=x2−4y = x^2 - 4 are x=2x = 2 and x=−2x = -2. The graph is a parabola opening upwards with its vertex at (0,−4)(0, -4), intersecting the xx -axis at (2,0)(2, 0) and (−2,0)(-2, 0), and the yy -axis at (0,−4)(0, -4).

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Identify the type of equation

The given equation is a quadratic equation of the form y=ax2+bx+cy = ax^2 + bx + c. In this case, a=1a=1, b=0b=0, and c=−4c=-4. Since a>0a > 0, the parabola opens upwards.

Step 2: Find the roots (x-intercepts)

To find the roots, we set y=0y=0 and solve for xx. This means finding the points where the graph intersects the xx -axis. We can factor the expression x2−4x^2 - 4 as a difference of squares.

Step 3: Find the y-intercept

To find the yy -intercept, we set x=0x=0 and solve for yy. This is the point where the graph intersects the yy -axis.

Step 4: Identify the vertex

For a parabola y=ax2+bx+cy = ax^2 + bx + c, the xx -coordinate of the vertex is given by the formula x=−b/(2a)x = -b/(2a). Since b=0b=0, the vertex is at x=0x=0. Substituting x=0x=0 into the equation gives the yy -coordinate of the vertex.

Step 5: Sketch the graph

With the roots at (2,0)(2{,}0) and (−2,0)(-2{,}0), the yy -intercept at (0,−4)(0,-4), and the vertex at (0,−4)(0,-4), we can sketch the parabola. Since the parabola opens upwards, it will pass through these points.

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