G10 Math Honors

Unit 1: Quadratic functions and equations

10.1.1 Intro to Quadratic Functions

A quadratic function is a relationship between two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), that has the general
algebraic form:
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𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐.

The graphs of all quadratic functions are called parabolas.

We are going to start analysing the shape of the simplest quadratic function:
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𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 (𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 0 and 𝑐 = 0)

and its horizontal and vertical translations in the coordinate axes.

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1. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 , calculate the values of the function for the following values of 𝑥:

𝑥 −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4

2. Use the pairs of coordinates to plot the parabola in the following coordinate axes:

3. Plot the axis of symmetry of the parabola. How do you represent this line mathematically?

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4. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = − 𝑥 , calculate the values of the function for the following domain:

𝑥 −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4

5. Use the pairs of coordinates to plot the parabola in the following coordinate axes:

6. Plot the axis of symmetry of the parabola and write its algebraic expression.

7. Fill the blanks with the following terms: vertex, quadratic function, decreases/increases,
increases/decreases, vertical line, symmetrical, 𝑥 = 0.

A parabola, which is the graph of a _________________________________, has a ____________________ shape.

Going from left to right, the function __________________________________ until it reaches a turning point.

Then it __________________________________ symmetrically. The turning point is called the ______________ of

the parabola. The axis of symmetry of the parabola is a ___________________________ through the vertex.

The axis of symmetry for the most simple quadratic function is represented mathematically by the

line ________________.

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8. Describe the pattern followed by the vertical distance between consecutive points starting from
the vertex.

9. Now open Desmos (https://www.desmos.com/calculator). The boxes at the left of the coordinate
plane are used to input the commands.
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a. Enter the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 in the first box. A parabola should be graphed on the coordinate
plane. Verify that it has the same coordinate points as the parabola you drew in point 2 (from
this handout).
b. Create a slider by typing “slider” in the first box and then clicking on any of the letters next to
the “add slider:” command right underneath. Rename the slider and label it as “ℎ”. The slider
provides different values of ℎ as you move it sideways.
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c. Now plot the function 𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑥 − ℎ) under the slider. Change the values of the slider and
describe how 𝑘 changes the graph of the parabola. Does the shape of the parabola change?

d. Thus, without the help of GeoGebra, in the coordinate plane below, plot a parabola with the
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same shape as 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 and vertex at (3, 0). Label the coordinates of the vertex and four
consecutive points to the left and to the right of the vertex. Write down the algebraic
expression of this quadratic function and the equation of the axis of symmetry.

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e. Add another slider. Label this slider “𝑘”.
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f. Change the previous function to 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 𝑘. Change the values of slider ℎ and describe
how ℎ changes the graph of the parabola. Does the shape of the parabola change?

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g. Change the function by combining the effect of 𝑘 and the effect of ℎ: 𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘.
Describe the effect of both parameters 𝑘 and ℎ when added together.

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h. Thus, in the coordinate axes below, plot a parabola with same shape as 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 and vertex at
(− 4, − 2). Label the coordinates of the vertex and four consecutive points to the left and to
the right of the vertex. Write down the algebraic expression of this quadratic function and the
equation of the axis of symmetry.

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10. Fill the blanks with the following terms (the answer of the last three blank spaces is not provided):
horizontally, horizontally, horizontal, vertically, vertically, shape, to the right, upwards,
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The parabola of the quadratic function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 can be translated _______________ and ________________

around the coordinate plane, without changing its ______________. After a translation, the quadratic

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function changes to the form 𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘, where ℎ translates the parabola _________________

(______________________ if ℎ > 0), and 𝑘 translates the parabola ___________________ (_______________ if 𝑘 > 0).

The axis of symmetry only changes under ___________________ translations, and its equation is 𝑥 = ……. ,

and the coordinates of the vertex of the translated parabola are …………… The vertical difference (or

distance) between consecutive points starting from the vertex follows the pattern

……………………………………………………………………………

Practice exercises (no calculator)

11. Write down the coordinates of the vertex and the equation of the axis of symmetry of the following
parabola. Thus, write down the algebraic expression for the quadratic function.

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12. Given the quadratic function 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 1) + 1 ,
in the coordinate plane label the vertex point and
three consecutive points to the sides of it. Use
these points to sketch the parabola.

Write down the equation of its axis of symmetry

and the coordinates of the vertex.

13. The following parabola has the form

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𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘.

a. Write down the coordinates of points A, B, C, D,

E, F, G and H.

b. Write down the corresponding algebraic

expression of the quadratic function.

c. Write down the equation of the axis of

symmetry of the parabola.

d. Use your answer in b. to show that

𝑓(− 6) = 11

Diagram not to scale