Quadratic Functions

y
The graph of a quadratic function
is a parabola.
Vertex

A parabola can open up or down.

If the parabola opens up, the

lowest point is called the vertex.
x

If the parabola opens down, the

vertex is the highest point.

NOTE: if the parabola opened Vertex

left or right it would not be a
function!
Quadratic Functions

y = ax2 + bx + c
 Standard Form
y
The standard form of a
quadratic function is
a>0
y = ax2 + bx + c
The parabola will open up
when the a value is positive.

x
The parabola will open down
when the a value is negative.

a<0
 Line of Symmetry
Lineyof
Parabolas have a symmetric
Symmetry
property to them.

If we drew a line down the

middle of the parabola, we
could fold the parabola in half.

We call this line the line of x

symmetry.

Or, if we graphed one side of

the parabola, we could “fold”
(or REFLECT) it over, the line
of symmetry to graph the other The line of symmetry ALWAYS
side. passes through the vertex.
 Finding the vertex, axis of symmetry and
opening of the graph of a quadratic function
Function Vertex Axis of Direction of
Symmetry Opening

Upward
Downward
Upward

Downward

Upward

Downward

Upward
Downward
 Finding the Line of Symmetry

When a quadratic function is in For example…

standard form
Find the line of symmetry of
y = ax2 + bx + c, y = 3x2 – 18x + 7
The equation of the line of
symmetry is Using the formula…

x  b x  18  18  3
2a 2 3 6
This is best read as …
the opposite of b divided by the Thus, the line of symmetry is x = 3.
quantity of 2 times a.
 Finding the Vertex
We know the line of symmetry y = –2x2 + 8x –3
always goes through the vertex.
STEP 1: Find the line of symmetry
Thus, the line of symmetry
gives us the x – coordinate of x  b  8  8  2
2a 2(2) 4
the vertex. STEP 2: Plug the x – value into the
original equation to find the y value.
To find the y – coordinate of the
y = –2(2)2 + 8(2) –3
vertex, we need to plug the x –
value into the original equation. y = –2(4)+ 8(2) –3

y = –8+ 16 –3
y=5

Therefore, the vertex is (2 , 5)

 A Quadratic Function in Standard Form
The standard form of a quadratic There are 3 steps to graphing a
function is given by parabola in standard form.
y = ax2 + bx + c

MAKE
USE
Plugthe A TABLE
in equation
the line of
STEP 1: Find the line of symmetry
symmetry (x – value) to
using x – values
- b close to
obtain xthe
= y – value of the
STEP 2: Find the vertex the line of symmetry.
vertex.
2a
STEP 3: Find two other points and reflect
them across the line of symmetry. Then
connect the five points with a smooth
curve.
 A Quadratic Function in Standard Form
Let's Graph ONE! Try … y

y = 2x2 – 4x – 1
STEP 1: Find the line of
symmetry

-b 4
x= = =1 x
2a 2(2)

Thus the line of symmetry is x = 1

 A Quadratic Function in Standard Form
Let's Graph ONE! Try … y

y = 2x2 – 4x – 1
STEP 2: Find the vertex

Since the x – value of the

vertex is given by the line of
symmetry, we need to plug
in x = 1 to find the y – value
x
of the vertex.

y = 2(1)2 - 4(1)- 1 = - 3

Thus the vertex is (1 ,–3).

 A Quadratic Function in Standard Form
Let's Graph ONE! Try … y

y = 2x2 – 4x – 1

STEP 3: Find two other points

and reflect them across the line
of symmetry. Then connect the
five points with a smooth curve.

x y x

2 –1
3 5

y = 2(2)2 - 4(2)- 1 = - 1
y = 2(3)2 - 4(3)- 1 = 5
Name the vertex, axis of symmetry and direction of
opening for the graph of each of the following.
Graphing Quadratic Functions
 QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS

 The graph of a quadratic function is U-

shaped and is called parabola.
vertex
 The lowest or highest point on the graph
of a quadratic function is called the
vertex.

Axis of
symmetry
 THE GRAPH OF A QUADRATIC
FUNCTION

Note: As the value of /a/ increases, the graph of quadratic equation narrows.
GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
IN STANDARD FORM
Find the vertex:

or
 Graph of

Axis of symmetry

(0,6) (4,6)

(1,0) (3,0) x
(2,-2)
 Draw parabola through the plotted points. y
VERTEX FORM OF QUADRATIC
EQUATION
 GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION IN
VERTEX FORM

Example:
 Axis of symmetry

(-3,4)

 Plot two points on one side of it, such as (-5,2) (-1,2)

(-1,2) and (1,-4).

 Use the symmetry to complete the

graph. x
 Draw parabola through the plotted points.

(-7,-4) (1,-4)
y
 INTERCEPT FORM OF
QUADRATIC EQUATION

 The x intercepts are p and q.

 The axis of symmetry is

halfway between (p,0) and
(q,0).
 GRAPHING A QUADRATIC
FUNCTION IN INTERCEPT FORM

a = -1, p = -2, q = 4
 Axis of symmetry
 To graph the function, the x-intercepts
occur at (-2,0) and (4,0).
(1,9)

(-2,0) (4,0)
 Draw parabola through the plotted points.
x
y
Graph the following functions.

(1). y = 2(x + 3)(x - 1)

(2). y = -3(x -1)2 + 8

(3). y = x2 + 6x + 5
 WRITING THE QUADRATIC
EQUATION IN STANDARD FORM
(1). y = -(x + 4)(x - 9)
= -(x2 - 9x + 4x - 36)
= -(x2 - 5x -36)
= -x2 + 5x + 36

(2). y = 3(x -1)2 + 8

= 3(x -1)(x - 1) + 8
= 3(x2 - 2x + 1) + 8
= 3x2 - 6x + 3 + 8
= 3x2 - 6x + 11
 SOLVING QUADRATIC
EQUATION BY FACTORING
 FACTORING QUADRATIC
EXPRESSION
The expression x2 + bx + c is a trinomial because it
has three terms. We can use factoring to write it as
product of two terms or binomials such as

x2 + bx + c = (x+m)(x+n) = x2 + (m+n)x + mn

Example:
x2 + 8x + 15 = (x + 3)(x + 5)
 EXAMPLE
Problem: Factor x2 - 12x - 28
Solution:
x2 - 12x - 28 = (x+m)(x+n) where mn = -28 and m+n = -12

Factors -1,28 1,-28 -2,14 2,-14 -4,7 4,-7

of -28
Sum of 27 -27 12 -12 3 -3
factors
The table shows that m = 2 and n = -14.
So, x2 - 12x - 28 = (x + 2)(x - 14)
 SPECIAL FACTORING
PATTERNS
1. Difference of two squares: a2 - b2 = (a+b)(a-b)

Example: x2 - 9 = (x+3)(x-3)

2. Perfect square Trinomial: a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a+b)2

Example: x2 + 12x +36 = (x+6)2

3. Perfect square Trinomial: a2 - 2ab + b2 = (a-b)2

Example: x2 -8x +16 = (x-4)2

 FACTORING MONOMIALS FIRST

Monomial is an expression that has only one term.

Factor the quadratic expression:

a. 5x2 - 20 = 5(x2 -4)

= 5(x+2)(x-2)

b. 6p2 + 15p + 9 = 3(2p2 + 5p + 3)

= 3(2p + 3)(p + 1)
 SOLVING QUADRATIC
EQUATIONS
Solve: Solve:
x 2  3x 18  0 2t 2 17t  45  3t  5
(x  6)(x  3)  0 2t 2  20t  50  0
x6 0 t 2 10t  25  0
x  6 (t  5)2  0
or t 5 0
x  3  0, t 5
x3
The solution is 5.
 3.
The solutions are -6 and
 ZERO PRODUCT PROPERTY

Let A and B be real numbers or algebraic

expressions. If AB=0, then either A = 0 or B = 0

Solve (a) x2 + 3x -18 = 0

(x + 6)(x - 3) = 0.
Hence either x + 6 = 0 or x - 3 = 0.

The solutions are x = -6 or x = 3

 ZERO PRODUCT PROPERTY

Let A and B be real numbers or algebraic

expressions. If AB=0, then either A = 0 or B = 0

Solve (a) 2t2 - 17t + 45 = 3t - 5

2t2 - 20t + 50 = 0
t2 - 10t + 25 = 0
(t - 5)2 = 0
t-5 =0
t=5
Hence the solutions is 5.
 MODELING WITH
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS
 QUADRATIC FUNCTION IN
VERTEX FORM
y
Write the quadratic function for the parabola
shown.

Solution:
The vertex shown is (h,k) = (2,-3) 1 (4,1)
Using the vertex form of the quadratic function.
y = a(x-h)2 + k x
y = a(x-2)2 - 3
1
Use the other given point (4,1) to find a.
1 = a(4-2)2 - 3
1 = 4a - 3
(2,-3)
4 = 4a
1=a
Hence the quadratic function for the parabola is
y = (x-2)2 -3
 QUADRATIC FUNCTION IN
INTERCEPT FORM
Write the quadratic function for the parabola
shown.

Solution: (-1,2)
The x intercepts shown are p = -2, q = 3
Using the intercept form of the quadratic
function.
1 (3)
y = a(x-p)(x-q) (-2) 1
y = a(x+2)(x-3)
Use the other given point (-1,2) to find a.
2 = a(-1+2)(-1-3)
2 = -4a
-1/2 = a x
Hence the quadratic function for the parabola
is y = -1/2(x+2)(x-3)
y