What is the value of B minus a If the function f is defined by f x X2 plus ax plus b where a and b are constants In the xy plane thr graph of f intersects the x-axis of the two points 1 0 and 3 0?

Since the function ( f(x) = x^2 + ax + b ) intersects the x-axis at the points (1, 0) and (3, 0), these points are the roots of the equation. Thus, we can express the function as ( f(x) = (x - 1)(x - 3) = x^2 - 4x + 3 ). Comparing coefficients, we find ( a = -4 ) and ( b = 3 ). Therefore, ( B - a = 3 - (-4) = 3 + 4 = 7 ).