To determine the values of \( m \) for which the graph of the quadratic equation \( y = 3x^2 + 7x + m \) has two \( x \)-intercepts, we need to examine the discriminant of the quadratic equation.
A quadratic equation in standard form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \) has a discriminant \(\Delta\), given by:
[tex]\[
\Delta = b^2 - 4ac
\][/tex]
The nature of the roots of the quadratic equation depends on the value of the discriminant \(\Delta\):
- If \(\Delta > 0\), the equation has two distinct real roots, which implies the graph has two \( x \)-intercepts.
- If \(\Delta = 0\), the equation has exactly one real root, which implies the graph has one \( x \)-intercept (the vertex of the parabola touches the \( x \)-axis).
- If \(\Delta < 0\), the equation has no real roots, which implies the graph has no \( x \)-intercepts.
For the given equation \( y = 3x^2 + 7x + m \):
[tex]\[
a = 3, \quad b = 7, \quad c = m
\][/tex]
We want the discriminant to be greater than zero (\(\Delta > 0\)) for the graph to have two \( x \)-intercepts:
[tex]\[
\Delta = b^2 - 4ac > 0
\][/tex]
Substituting the values of \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \):
[tex]\[
7^2 - 4 \cdot 3 \cdot m > 0
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
49 - 12m > 0
\][/tex]
Solving for \( m \):
[tex]\[
49 > 12m
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\frac{49}{12} > m
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
m < \frac{49}{12}
\][/tex]
Therefore, the quadratic equation \( y = 3x^2 + 7x + m \) has two \( x \)-intercepts when \( m < \frac{49}{12} \).
So, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[
m < \frac{49}{12}
\][/tex]
