G10 Math Honors

Unit 1: Quadratic functions and equations

10.1.4 Forms of the quadratic function

1. The trajectory of a baseball ball being thrown by a player, can be modelled by

1 2 5
ℎ(𝑥) =− 2
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 2

where h represents the vertical height of the ball measured from the ground, and x represents
the horizontal distance of the ball from the player’s hand at the start of the throw.

a. Add a pair of coordinate axes in the image that match what quantities 𝑥 and ℎ represent.

b. Write down the coordinates of the starting point of the ball (player’s hand). Label the initial
height as ℎ0.

c. Explain how you can use the 𝑥-coordinate of the starting point and the algebraic expression of
the function trajectory to find the initial height. Thus, find ℎ0.

d. Write down the coordinates of the point where the ball hits the ground. Label the 𝑥-intercept as
𝑥1.

e. Explain how you can use the 𝑦-coordinate of the 𝑥-intercept to find 𝑥1. Thus, find the horizontal
distance of the ball from the player as it hits the ground.

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 f. Explain how you can find the maximum height reached by the ball. You may consider finding
the 𝑥-coordinate of that point first. Thus, find the coordinates of the point where the ball
reaches its maximum height.

2. A boy standing on top of a small cliff throws a

rock into a lake. The trajectory of the rock can
be modelled by
1
ℎ(𝑥) =− 2
(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 5)

where h represents the vertical height of the

rock measured from the ground, and x
represents the horizontal distance of the rock
from the boy’s hand at the start of the throw.
Follow similar procedures as in a. to answer the
following:

a. Find the initial height of the rock.

b. Find the distance from the boy at which the rock hits the water.

c. Find the maximum height reached by the rock.

2
3. A girl is practising with a bow and arrow. The trajectory of the arrow can be modelled by

1 2 9
ℎ(𝑥) =− 2
(𝑥 − 2) + 2

where h represents the vertical height of

the arrow, and x represents the horizontal
distance of the arrow from the girl.

a. Find the initial height of the arrow.

b. Find the distance from the girl at which the arrow hits the ground.

c. Find the maximum height reached by the arrow.

4. Fill the following table and the blank: 𝑥-intercepts, factored, 𝑦-intercept, coordinates of the vertex,
vertex, standard, same

Below are three different forms

of the ________________ function: Name of the quadratic form Provides…

−1 2 5
ℎ(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 2

1
ℎ(𝑥) =− 2
(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 5)

1 2 9
ℎ(𝑥) =− 2
(𝑥 − 2) + 2

3
5. Follow the instructions below to investigate the information provided by 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑝, 𝑞, ℎ, and 𝑘 in
each of the different forms of the quadratic functions. Use Desmos. Then you can verify your
answers in 4.
2
Quadratic Graphs of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

2 2
a. Plot the graph 𝑦 = 𝑥 and of 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 on desmos;

b. Add sliders for each of the parameters a, b, and c.

2
c. Write down any brief observations about its effect(s) on the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥

Effect of a

Effect of b

Effect of c

Quadratic Graphs of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑝)(𝑥 − 𝑞)

2
a. Plot the graph 𝑦 = 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑝)(𝑥 − 𝑞) on desmos.
b. Add sliders for each of the parameters a, p, and q
2
c. Write down any brief observations about its effect(s) on the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥

Effect of a

Effect of p

Effect of q

2
Quadratic Graphs of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘

2 2
a. Plot the graph 𝑦 = 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘 on desmos;

b. Add sliders for each of the parameters a, h, and k

2
c. Write down any brief observations about its effect(s) on the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥

Effect of a

Effect of h

Effect of k

4
 Summary

Type of Representation Graph Property Eq. of Axis of

Symmetry
Form:

Form:

Form:

The effect of a

6. Changing between forms of the quadratic equation:

a. Any form to standard… Just expand 🙂 2

b. Standard to factored: Write 𝑓(𝑥) = − 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 15 in factored form.

- Identify the value of 𝑎 and factor it (only if 𝑎 ≠ 1)

- Then factor the remaining quadratic expression

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 2
c. Vertex to factored: Write 𝑓(𝑥) = 2(𝑥 + 1) − 8 in factored form.

- Identify the value of 𝑎

- Find the zeros 𝑝 and 𝑞

- Then 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑝)(𝑥 − 𝑞)

d. Factored to vertex: Write 𝑓(𝑥) = 2(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 4) in vertex form.

- Identify the value of 𝑎
- Find the axis of symmetry (use the symmetry of the parabola and the zeros of the function).
- Explain mathematically how you find the 𝑦-coordinate of the vertex.
2
- Then 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑘) + ℎ

e. Standard to vertex: Coming soon!

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7. (Work on separate paper) Rewrite each of the equations below in standard form.

a. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 3)

b. 𝑓(𝑥) = − 2(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 1)

2
c. 𝑓(𝑥) =− (𝑥 − 2) + 5

8. (Work on separate paper) Rewrite each of the equations below in factored form.
2 2 2
a. 𝑓(𝑥) =− 𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 6 d. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 9 g. 𝑓(𝑥) =− 𝑥 − 6𝑥 − 8
2 2 2
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4(𝑥 − 3) − 1 e. 𝑓(𝑥) = 25 − 𝑥 h. 𝑓(𝑥) = − 3(𝑥 + 4)
2 2 2
c. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 2 f. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 − 24𝑥 + 36 i. 𝑓(𝑥) =− (𝑥 − 3) + 16

9. (Work on separate paper) Rewrite each of the equations below in vertex form.

a. 𝑓(𝑥) =− (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 5)
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1)
c. 𝑓(𝑥) =− 3(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 − 5)