The axis of symmetry for the graph of the function [tex]$f(x)=3x^2+bx+4[tex]$[/tex] is [tex]$[/tex]x=\frac{3}{2}$[/tex]. What is the value of [tex]b[/tex]?

A. [tex]-18[/tex]
B. [tex]-9[/tex]
C. [tex]9[/tex]
D. [tex]18[/tex]



Answer :

To find the value of \( b \) for the quadratic function \( f(x) = 3x^2 + bx + 4 \) given that the axis of symmetry is \( x = \frac{3}{2} \), we will use the formula for the axis of symmetry of a quadratic function.

The formula for the axis of symmetry for a quadratic function \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \) is given by:
[tex]\[ x = -\frac{b}{2a} \][/tex]

Here, the function is \( f(x) = 3x^2 + bx + 4 \). Therefore, \( a = 3 \) and \( b \) is the coefficient we need to find. We know the axis of symmetry is \( x = \frac{3}{2} \).

Substitute \( x \) and \( a \) into the axis of symmetry formula:
[tex]\[ \frac{3}{2} = -\frac{b}{2 \cdot 3} \][/tex]

Simplify the right side:
[tex]\[ \frac{3}{2} = -\frac{b}{6} \][/tex]

To isolate \( b \), we will multiply both sides of the equation by 6:
[tex]\[ 6 \cdot \frac{3}{2} = -b \][/tex]

Simplify the left side:
[tex]\[ 9 = -b \][/tex]

Therefore, we multiply both sides by -1 to solve for \( b \):
[tex]\[ b = -9 \][/tex]

Thus, the value of \( b \) is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{-9} \][/tex]