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Graphing A Quadratic Function

The document discusses graphing quadratic functions, including identifying key features such as the vertex, y-intercept, x-intercepts, axis of symmetry, and determining whether the parabola opens up or down based on the leading coefficient. It provides examples of graphing quadratics in general and standard form.

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Abo Moussa
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
24 views

Graphing A Quadratic Function

The document discusses graphing quadratic functions, including identifying key features such as the vertex, y-intercept, x-intercepts, axis of symmetry, and determining whether the parabola opens up or down based on the leading coefficient. It provides examples of graphing quadratics in general and standard form.

Uploaded by

Abo Moussa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Graphing a Quadratic Function: 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄

Quadratic Functions are second degree polynomials (i.e. highest power of the domain variable is 2).
Quadratics can be written in several forms - General Form, Standard Form (also called Vertex Form), and
Factored form*. The graph of a Quadratic Function is called a Parabola. It’s general shape is curved and looks
like a “U”. The “U” is right side up if “a” is positive (𝑎 > 0) , and it is upside down if “a” is negative (𝑎 < 0).
The Vertex (h, k) is either the lowest (right side up) or the highest (upside down) point on the parabola. The
Axis of Symmetry is a vertical line that visually cuts the parabola in half and is written as 𝑥 = ℎ.

General Form (𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ ℝ ) Standard (Vertex) Form (𝑎, ℎ, 𝑘 ∈ ℝ )


𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘

The y-intercept (0, 𝑐) of the graph is easily  The Vertex (ℎ, 𝑘),
identifiable from General Form.  The Min/Max value (𝑘) of the function, and
 The Axis of Symmetry (𝑥 = ℎ)
The x-intercept(s) (if any) can be found by factoring
and/or using the quadratic formula. are all easily identifiable from Vertex Form.

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 The x-intercept(s) (if any) can be found by using the


𝑥=
2𝑎 square root property.
The Vertex (ℎ, 𝑘), Min/Max value (𝑘), and Axis of The y-intercept can be found by evaluating 𝑓(0).
Symmetry (𝑥 = ℎ) can be found by completing the
square or by using the vertex formula: 𝑓(0) = 𝑎(0 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘 = 𝑎ℎ2 + 𝑘
−𝑏
ℎ= , 𝑘 = 𝑓(ℎ)
2𝑎

Parabolic Graph of a Quadratic Function

y-intercept Axis of Symmetry


(𝟎, 𝒄) 𝑥=ℎ

Origin x- intercepts,
(𝟎, 𝟎) also called real
“zeros”

Distance k (Up/Down)
Distance h (Rt/Lft) This Parabola is
(from Origin) “Face Up”
(𝒂 > 𝟎)

Vertex: (𝒉, 𝒌)
“k” is the Min or Max value of the function.
“h” is the domain value that results in the Min/Max.
Practice Graphing Quadratic Functions  𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘
Examples: Note: “a” is the same number
in both forms!

Graph the following Quadratic given in Graph the following Quadratic given in
General Form: 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 24 Standard (Vertex) Form: 𝑓(𝑥) = 3(𝑥 + 1)2 − 4
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
Due to the “-“ sign in Vertex Form,” h” is the opposite of
Identify the Vertex: (Calculate) the number you see.
−𝑏 − (−6) 6
ℎ= = = = −1 Identify the Vertex: (from the formula)
2𝑎 2(−3) −6
(ℎ, 𝑘) = (−1, −4)
𝑘 = 𝑓(ℎ) = −3(−1)2 − 6(−1) + 24
= 27 Find the x-intercept(s): (Square root property)

𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑥 = (ℎ, 𝑘) = (−1, 27) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3(𝑥 + 1)2 − 4 = 0


3(𝑥 + 1)2 = 4
Find the x-intercept(s): (Factor or use the 4
(𝑥 + 1)2 =
Quadratic Formula) 3
4
√(𝑥 + 1)2 = ±√
2 3
𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 24 = 0
𝑓(𝑥) = −3(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8) = 0 𝑥+1=±
2
√3
𝑓(𝑥) = −3(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 2) =0
2√3
𝑥 = −1 ±
𝑥+4=0 𝑥−2=0 3
𝑥 = −4 𝑥=2 2√3 2√3
x-intercepts: (−1 + , 0) , (−1 − , 0)
3 3
x-intercepts: (−4, 0), (2, 0)
Find the y-intercept: 𝑓(0) = 3(1)2 − 4 = −1
Find the y-intercept: (0, 𝑐) = (0, 24) = (0, −1)
Find the axis of symm: 𝑥 = −1 Find the axis of symm: 𝑥 = −1
Extra Points: Use point plotting if needed. Extra Points: Use point plotting if needed.

𝑎 <0, 𝑎 >0,
So facing DOWN So facing UP

Vertex (Max) x-intercepts


y-intercept y-intercept
x-intercepts Vertex (Min)
Axis of Symmetry
Axis of Symmetry
Range: (−∞, 𝑘]
Domain: (−∞, ∞) Range: [𝑘, ∞)
Domain: (−∞, ∞)
Practice Problems: Try these on your own!
Graph the following Quadratic Functions given in General Form. Find the Vertex, y-intercept,
and x-intercept(s) if they exist. State the Domain and the Range. Also find and show the Axis
of Symmetry. State whether the parabola opens up or down.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 6 2. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4
Answer: Answer:

1 25
Vertex: (2 , 4 ) Vertex: (−1, 2)

y-intercept: (0, 6) y-intercept: (0, 4)


x-intercept(s): (−2, 0), (3, 0) x-intercept(s): 𝑁𝑜𝑛𝑒
1
Axis of Symmetry: 𝑥 = Axis of Symmetry: 𝑥 = −1
2

Domain: ℝ or (−∞, ∞) Domain: ℝ or (−∞, ∞)

25
Range: (−∞, ] Range: [2, ∞)
4

Opens: Down Opens: Up


Graph the following Quadratic Functions given in Standard (Vertex) Form. Find the Vertex,
y-intercept, and x-intercept(s) if they exist. State the Domain and the Range. Also find and
show the Axis of Symmetry. State whether the parabola opens up or down.

1
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2(𝑥 − 2)2 − 3 4. 𝑓(𝑥) = − (𝑥 + 4)2 − 2
4

Answer: Answer:

Vertex: (2, −3) Vertex: (−4, −2)


y-intercept: (0, 5) y-intercept: (0, −6)
4+√6 4−√6
x-intercept(s): ( , 0) , ( , 0) x-intercept(s): 𝑁𝑜𝑛𝑒
2 2

Axis of Symmetry: 𝑥 = 2 Axis of Symmetry: 𝑥 = −4


Domain: ℝ or (−∞, ∞) Domain: ℝ or (−∞, ∞)

Range: [−3, ∞) Range: (−∞, −2]


Opens: Up Opens: Down

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