NUFYP Mathematics

Fall Semester

Learning Block 1
1.2 Quadratic functions
Learning outcomes
1.2.1 Solve a quadratic equation by factorisation
1.2.2 Solve a quadratic equation by completing the
square (CTS)
1.2.3 Recall the quadratic formula for solving
quadratic equations
1.2.4 Find the vertex of a quadratic function and
determine if it is the minimum or the maximum point
1.2.5 Sketch graphs of quadratic functions
1.2.6 Solve application problems involving quadratic
functions
Lecture Outline
Factorization

Solving quadratic
Quadratic functions
Quadratic formula
equation
Competing the
square (CTS)

Finding
coordinates of the
Graphing quadratic vertex
function
Axis of symmetry

Applications
 Introduction
A polynomial function of degree 𝒏 is a function
of the form
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + 𝑎𝑛−2 𝑥 𝑛−2 +. . . +𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0

• 𝑛 is a non-negative integer
• 𝑎0, 𝑎1, 𝑎2, … , 𝑎𝑛 are the coefficients of the polynomial
• 𝑎0, 𝑎1, 𝑎2, … , 𝑎𝑛 ∈ ℝ
• The highest power of 𝑥 is called the degree of the
polynomial
What are polynomial functions of degree 0 and 1?
In this lecture, we will study polynomial functions of
degree 2. They are called quadratic functions.
Quadratic functions

Go to https://www.desmos.com/calculator/fmxds1uvhe

to investigate the vertex form of a quadratic polynomial:

2
𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑥−ℎ +𝑘

In Desmos, change the values of ℎ and 𝑘. What does this

change about the graph? What does the point (ℎ, 𝑘)
represent on the graph? What does the value 𝑎 indicate on
the graph?
1.2.1 Finding roots of a quadratic
polynomial
General form of a quadratic polynomial

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

where 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 are real numbers with 𝑎 ≠ 0

Be careful with the terminology:

roots of a function and zeros of a function are the x-
values that make the function (y-value) equal zero.

x-intercepts of a function are the points where the

function (y-value) equals zero.
 General form of a quadratic polynomial

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

where 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 are real numbers with 𝑎 ≠ 0

Thus, to find the roots/zeros/x-intercepts of the

quadratic polynomial, 𝑓 𝑥 , we solve the quadratic
equation:
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0
This is the same as finding the solutions/roots of the
quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0
Let’s explore three different ways of finding the roots of a
quadratic polynomial:
Factorization and Vieta’s formula
Let 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 be the solutions to the quadratic
equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.
Then the following two identities hold.

𝑏
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 = −
𝑎
𝑐
𝑥1 𝑥2 =
𝑎

➢ This can be easily shown from the idenitity

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )(𝑥 − 𝑥2 )
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )(𝑥 − 𝑥2 )

𝑎 𝑥 − 𝑥1 𝑥 − 𝑥2 = 𝑎 𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥1 − 𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑥1 𝑥2

= 𝑎 𝑥 2 − 𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑥 + 𝑥1 𝑥2

= 𝑎𝑥 2 − 𝑎 𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑥 + 𝑎𝑥1 𝑥2

Compare the coefficients:

𝑏
= − 𝑥1 + 𝑥2
⇒ 𝑐𝑎
= 𝑥1 𝑥2
𝑎
Example 1
Solve by factorization

a) 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 = 0
b) 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 24 = 0

Solution
a) The expression in LHS (“Left Hand Side”) has a
common factor of 2𝑥:
2𝑥 𝑥 − 3 = 0
𝑥 = 0 or 𝑥 = 3
Solution
b) 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 24 = 0

We can apply Vieta’s formula to find solutions to this

quadratic equation:
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 = −2
-6 and 4 satisfy the conditions
𝑥1 𝑥2 = −24 factorized form
𝑥 − −6 𝑥 − 4 = 0 or 𝑥 + 6 𝑥 − 4 = 0
𝑥1 = −6 and 𝑥2 = 4 are the two solutions
Your turn!
Given that 𝑚 and 𝑛 are the solutions of the quadratic
2 1 1
equation 2𝑥 + 15𝑥 + 16 = 0, find + .
𝑚 𝑛

Solution
15 16
Vieta’s formula tells us that 𝑚 + 𝑛 = − , 𝑚𝑛 = .
2 2

1 1 𝑚 + 𝑛 −15/2 15
+ = = =−
𝑚 𝑛 𝑚𝑛 16/2 16
➢ When the leading coefficient 𝑎 is not equal to 1,
using Vieta’s formula may not be easy to apply.

Instead, you could factorize a quadratic expression by

grouping. Let’s look at an example:

Example 2 Solve 6𝑥 2 + 11𝑥 − 10 = 0 by grouping.

1) We need to find two real numbers 𝑛1 and 𝑛2 such
that
𝑛1 ∙ 𝑛2 = 𝑎𝑐 = −60
𝑛1 + 𝑛2 = 𝑏 = 11

Can you find 𝑛1 and 𝑛2 ?

 6𝑥 2 + 11𝑥 − 10 = 0

𝑛1 = −4, 𝑛2 = 15
2) Rewrite the equation as
6𝑥 2 + 15𝑥 − 4𝑥 − 10 = 0

3) Group: 6𝑥 2 + 15𝑥 − 4𝑥 − 10 = 0

4) Factorize: 3𝑥 2𝑥 + 5 − 2 2𝑥 + 5 = 0
2𝑥 + 5 3𝑥 − 2 = 0

5 2
𝑥 = − and 𝑥 = are the solutions.
2 3
Why does it work?
Suppose 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑛 𝑞𝑥 + 𝑚
If we multiply out, we get 𝑝𝑞𝑥 2 + 𝑝𝑚 + 𝑞𝑛 𝑥 + 𝑚𝑛
Notice that the coefficient of 𝑥 consists of a sum of
two terms 𝑝𝑚 + 𝑞𝑛. These are the two numbers 𝑛1
and 𝑛2 . So 𝑛1 + 𝑛2 = 𝑏.
Obviously, they are factors of their own product 𝑝𝑞𝑚𝑛,
but we notice that 𝑝𝑞 = 𝑎 and 𝑚𝑛 = 𝑐.
So 𝑛1 𝑛2 = 𝑎𝑐.
You can also explore the ‘criss-cross’ method of
factoring
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgDbUp9vjGA
Your turn!
Factorize by grouping and find the solutions:

−10𝑥 2 − 33𝑥 + 7 = 0

n1 ⋅ n2 = 𝑎𝑐 = −70
n1 + n2 = 𝑏 = −33 ⇒ −35 and 2

(−10𝑥 2 + 2𝑥) − 35𝑥 + 7 = 0

2𝑥(1 − 5𝑥) + 7(1 − 5𝑥) = 0

(2𝑥 + 7)(1 − 5𝑥) = 0

𝑥 = −3.5 or 𝑥 = 0.2
1.2.2 Solve a quadratic equation by
completing the square (CTS)
Completing the square (CTS) means that we add a
constant to an expression to make it a perfect
square. For example, to make x2 – 6x a perfect
square, we must add 9, since x2 – 6x + 9 = (x – 3)2.

2 𝑏 2
To make 𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 a perfect square, add 2
, the square of
half the coefficient of 𝑥. This gives the perfect square

2 𝑏 2 𝑏 2
𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 + = 𝑥 +2
2
Example 3 (leading coefficient equals one):
Complete the square 𝑎) 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3

𝑏) 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 4

𝑎) 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 = 𝑥 2 + 2 ⋅ 1𝑥 + 12 − 1 + 3

2
= 𝑥+1 +2

𝑏) 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 4 = 𝑥 2 + 2 ⋅ 3𝑥 + 32 − 9 − 4

= (𝑥 + 3)2 − 13
Example 4 (leading coefficient not equal to one):
Complete the square for
𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 5.

in order to solve the quadratic equation

3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 5 = 0

Solution
𝑓(𝑥) = 3(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥) − 5 = 3(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1) − 3 ⋅ 1 − 5

= 3(𝑥 + 1)2 − 8
Example 4 (leading coefficient not equal to one):
After completing the square, solve the quadratic
equation: 2
3𝑥 + 6𝑥 − 5 = 0
3 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 − 3 − 5 = 0

3(𝑥 + 1)2 − 8 = 0

(𝑥 + 1)2 = 8/3

2 6
𝑥 = −1 ±
3
Your turn!
Solve the equation by completing the square:

𝑥2 – 8𝑥 + 13 = 0
𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 16 − 16 + 13 = 0

(𝑥 − 4)2 − 3 = 0

𝑥 =4± 3
1.2.3 Recall the Quadratic Formula for
solving quadratic equations
We can use the technique of completing the square to
derive a formula for the solutions to the general
quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.

The roots of the quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0,

where 𝑎 ≠ 0, are
−𝑏± 𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
Proof:
𝑏 2
𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 ⇔ 𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 ⇔
𝑎

2 2
𝑏 𝑏 𝑏
𝑎 𝑥2 + 2 ∙ 𝑥+ 2 − +𝑐 =0 ⇔
2𝑎 4𝑎 4𝑎

2 2 2
𝑏 𝑏 𝑏 𝑏2 𝑐
𝑎 𝑥+ = −𝑐 ⇔ 𝑥+ = 2− ⇔
2𝑎 4𝑎 2𝑎 4𝑎 𝑎

𝑏 𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐 −𝑏± 𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐

𝑥+ =± ⇔𝑥=
2𝑎 4𝑎2 2𝑎
Properties of the discriminant

The expression 𝑫 = 𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄 is called the

discriminant (do you know why?)

Answer: it ‘discriminates’ between the various

solution types:

1. If 𝐷 > 0, then the equation has two distinct real solutions.

2. If 𝐷 = 0, then the equation has exactly one real solution.
3. If 𝐷 < 0, then the equation has no real solution.
Example 5
Find all solutions to the equation giving your
answers to 2 decimal places

3𝑥2 – 5𝑥 – 1 = 0

𝐷 = 25 + 12 = 37 > 0 so we know the

equation has two distinct roots.
5 ± 37
𝑥=
6
5+ 37 5− 37
𝑥= ≈ 1.85 and 𝑥 = ≈ −0.18
6 6
Your turn!
Find the value(s) of 𝑘 such that the equation has
only one real root:
𝑥 2 + (3 + 𝑘)𝑥 + 1 = 0
The equation has only one real root when the
discriminant is 0:
𝐷 = (3 + 𝑘)2 − 4 = 0
⇒ (3 + 𝑘)2 = 4
⇒ 3 + 𝑘 = ±2
⇒ 𝑘 = −1 𝑜𝑟 𝑘 = −5
1.2.4 Find the vertex of a quadratic
function
The graph of any quadratic function is a parabola.

Every parabola is symmetrical

about a line called the axis of y
symmetry.

The intersection point of

the parabola and the axis vertex
x
of symmetry is called the Axis of symmetry
vertex of the parabola.
𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
The leading coefficient of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 is 𝑎.
y
a>0
When the leading opens
coefficient is positive, upward
the parabola opens x
upward, and the vertex
vertex is a minimum. minimum
y
x
When the leading
vertex
coefficient is negative, maximum
the parabola opens
downward, and the a<0
vertex is a maximum. opens
downward
To easily find the vertex of a parabola, complete
the square to derive the vertex form of the
quadratic polynomial:
𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 – ℎ)2 + 𝑘

This representation makes it easier to identify the

shape, axis of symmetry, and the vertex.
The vertex is (ℎ, 𝑘)
The axis of symmetry: 𝑥 = ℎ (Note: this is a line)
Max or min value of 𝑓 𝑥 : 𝑓(ℎ) = 𝑘
Example 6

Find the vertex and the axis of symmetry for

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 – 3 2 + 2. Then sketch the graph.
Solution
The function is written in the
vertex form, we can easily
identify that

• The vertex is 3,2

• The axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = 3
• The leading coefficient 𝑎 = 1
is positive, so the minimum
value of 𝑓(𝑥) is 2.
We can compare 𝑓 (𝑥) = (𝑥 – 3)2 + 2 with 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 .
𝑓 𝑥 is the same shape as y = x2 , it is simply shifted
to the right three units and upwards two units.

*We will further study graph transformations in 1.5 and 1.6.

y axis of symmetry x=3

f (x) = (x – 3)2 + 2
y = x2
4

(3, 2)
vertex
x
-4 4
Your turn!
By completing the square, find the coordinates
of the vertex and the equation of the axis of
symmetry for 𝑓 (𝑥) = 2𝑥2 + 4𝑥 – 1.
𝑓(𝑥) = 2(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1) − 3 = 2(𝑥 + 1)2 − 3
⇒ Vertex: (−1, −3)
Axis of symmetry: 𝑥 = −1
Example 7

Find an equation for the parabola with vertex

(2, –1) passing through the point (0, 1).
y

y = f(x)
(0, 1) x

(2, –1)
Solution
Using the vertex (2, –1) into the vertex form,
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − 2)2 − 1
Don’t forget to include the leading coefficient 𝑎!
To find 𝑎, use the given point (0,1)

1 = 𝑎(0 − 2)2 − 1
1 = 4𝑎 − 1 , thus 𝑎 = 1/2
1
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 2)2 − 1
2
Try solving this question using 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐.
Does it work well?
1.2.5 Sketch graphs of a quadratic functions
Sketching strategy:
1. Does the parabola open upward or downward?
(What is the sign of leading coefficient 𝑎?)

2. y-intercept

3. x-intercepts (if any)

4. Vertex

5. Axis of symmetry
Example 8
Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 2𝑥 – 8.

1) The parabola opens upwards since 𝑎 > 0.

2) y-intercept: 𝑓(0) = −8. Point (0, −8).

To find the 𝑥-intercepts you could complete the square,
use the quadratic formula, or factorize the polynomial.
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 − 9 ⇔ 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 1)2 − 9
(𝑥 + 1)2 − 9 = 0 ⇔ 𝑥+1 2 =9
⇔ 𝑥 = −1 ± 3
3) 𝑥-intercepts: (2,0) and (-4,0)
Example 8 – Solution continued
𝑥 = −1 y
𝑦 = (𝑥 + 1)2 − 9
1
4) Vertex: (−1, −9) x
(– 4, 0) (2, 0)
Axis of symmetry
𝑥 = −1

f(x) = x2 + 2x - 8

(0, −8)
(−1, −9)
1.2.6 Solve application problems
Example 9 – projectile motion
As shown in the figure, a ball that is thrown at a 45° angle
with the horizontal travels along a parabolic arc defined by
the equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 𝑐. Use the fact that the ball is
launched at a vertical height of 5 ft and travels a horizontal
distance of 20 ft to find the coefficients 𝑎 and 𝑐. What is the
maximum height attained by the ball?
𝑦

𝑥
20 𝑓𝑡
Solution
We have two unknowns so we must produce two
equations. The first condition is that the ball is
launched at a vertical height of 5 ft. That is, 𝑦 0 = 5.
𝑎∙0+0+𝑐 =5
𝑐=5
The second condition is the ball travels a horizontal
distance of 20 ft, or 𝑦 20 = 0.
2
1
𝑎 ∙ 20 + 20 + 5 = 0 → 𝑎 = −
16
Hence, the model of the parabolic path of the ball is
1 2
𝑦 =− 𝑥 +𝑥+5
16
Solution
What is the maximum height attained by the ball?
(𝑥, 𝑦𝑚𝑎𝑥 )

The maximum height is at the vertex of the parabola.

Complete the square:
1 2 1 2 1 2
− 𝑥 +𝑥+5=− 𝑥 − 16𝑥 + 64 + 9 = − 𝑥−8 +9
16 16 16

It follows that the maximum height is 9 feet.

Example 10 - maximization
A dairy farm has a barn that is 150 feet long and 75 feet
wide. The owner has 240 feet of fencing and plans to use all
of it in the construction of two identical adjacent pens, with
part of the long side of the barn as one side of the pens, and
a common fence between the two (see the figure). The
owner wants the pens to be as large as possible.

a) Construct a mathematical model

for the combined area of both
pens, 𝐴, in terms of 𝑥. State the
domain of 𝐴.
b) Find the value of 𝑥 that produces
the maximum combined area.
c) Find the dimensions of each pen.
 Solution
a) The combined area of the two
pens is
𝐴 = 𝑥𝑦.

We have 240 feet of fence to use,

so
3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 240 → 𝑦 = 240 − 3𝑥

Thus, 𝑨 = 𝒙 𝟐𝟒𝟎 − 𝟑𝒙 = 𝟐𝟒𝟎𝒙 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 .

Because the distances must be positive, 𝑥 ≥ 0 and 𝑦 ≥ 0

Also, 𝑦 ≤ 150.
0 ≤ 𝑦 = 240 − 3𝑥 ≤ 150

Therefore, the domain of A is 𝟑𝟎 ≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟖𝟎.

Solution 𝐴(𝑥) Vertex
(40,4800)
b) We can complete the square
and sketch the graph on the
domain [30,80].
𝐴 = −3 𝑥 2 − 80𝑥 + 1600 + 4800 𝑥
2 30 80
= −3 𝑥 − 40 + 4800

➢ A value of 𝑥 = 40 gives a maximum area of 4800

square feet.
c) When 𝑥 = 40, 𝑦 = 240 − 3 × 40 = 120.
𝑦
Each pen is 𝑥 by 2 , or 40 feet by 60 feet.
Learning outcomes
1.2.1 Solve a quadratic equation by factorisation
1.2.2 Solve a quadratic equation by completing the
square (CTS)
1.2.3 Recall the quadratic formula for solving
quadratic equations
1.2.4 Find the vertex of a quadratic function and
determine if it is the minimum or the maximum point
1.2.5 Sketch graphs of quadratic functions
1.2.6 Solve application problems involving quadratic
functions
Formulae
For a quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, it is possible to find
the roots 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 by:
−𝑏± 𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
● quadratic formula 𝑥 = 2𝑎

● completing the square 𝑎(𝑥 – ℎ)2 + 𝑘 = 0

𝑏 𝑐
● Vieta’s formula 𝑥1 + 𝑥2 = − 𝑎 , 𝑥1 𝑥2 = 𝑎

Parabola has a vertex at (ℎ, 𝑘), where

𝑏
ℎ = − , 𝑘 = 𝑓(ℎ)
2𝑎
Preview: composite and inverse functions

Composite Inverse of a
functions function

Finding 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔, One-to-one
𝑓∘𝑔∘ℎ functions

Horizontal line
Finding the domain test
of 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔
Finding an inverse
‘Decomposing’ function, its domain
functions and range