Scribd
Upload
13 views

A11 Deduce turning points by the method of completing the square (Higher)

The document provides a detailed guide on deducing turning points of quadratic functions by completing the square, including examples and exercises. It explains how to express quadratic equations in vertex form and find turning points, as well as sketching the corresponding curves. Additionally, it includes exercises for practice and answers for self-assessment.

Uploaded by

yashmira2007
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views

A11 Deduce turning points by the method of completing the square (Higher)

The document provides a detailed guide on deducing turning points of quadratic functions by completing the square, including examples and exercises. It explains how to express quadratic equations in vertex form and find turning points, as well as sketching the corresponding curves. Additionally, it includes exercises for practice and answers for self-assessment.

Uploaded by

yashmira2007
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

A11 DEDUCE TURNING POINTS OF QUADRATIC FUNCTION BY

COMPLETING THE SQUARE (higher tier)

You should already be able to express a quadratic equation in the form a(x + b)2 + c by
completing the square.
e.g. x2 − 6x + 3 = (x − 3)2 − 9 + 3 = (x − 3)2 − 6
e.g. 3x2 + 6x + 5 = 3[x2 + 2x] + 5 = 3[(x + 1)2 − 1] + 5 = 3(x + 1)2 + 2

We are now going to deduce the turning points of a quadratic function after completing the
square.

EXAMPLE 1

Given y = x2 + 6x − 5, by writing it in the form y =(x + a)2 + b, where a and b are


integers, write down the coordinates of the turning point of the curve. Hence sketch the
curve.

y = x2 + 6x − 5
= (x + 3)2 − 9 − 5 Remember to halve the coefficient of x

= (x + 3)2 − 14 and subtract (−3)2 to compensate

The turning point occurs when (x + 3)2 = 0, i.e. when x = −3


When x = −3, y = (−3 + 3)2 − 14 = 0 − 14 = −14
So the coordinates of the turning point is (−3, −14)
The graph y = x2 + 6x − 5 cuts the y-axis when x = 0, i.e. y = −5
Sketch:
y

(0, −5)
(−3, −14)

When y = (x + a)2 + b then the coordinates of the turning point is (−a, b).

The minimum or maximum value of y is b.


EXAMPLE 2

Given that the minimum turning point of a quadratic curve is (1, −6), find an equation of
the curve in the form y = x2 + ax + b. Hence sketch the curve.

y = (x − 1)2 − 6 If the minimum is when x = 1, we know we have (x − 1)2

= (x2 − x − x + 4) − 6 If the minimum is when y = −6, we know we have (...)2 − 6

= x2 − 2x − 2

An equation of the curve is y = x2 − 2x − 2


The graph cuts the y-axis when x = 0, i.e. at y = −2
Sketch: It is a minimum turning point so the shape is

(0, −2)
(1, −6)

NOTE: There are other possible equations as, for example y = 4(x − 1)2 − 6 also has a turning
point of (1, −6). If it was a maximum turning point then the coefficient of x2 would be negative.

EXAMPLE 3

Find the maximum value of −x2 + 4x − 7 and sketch the curve.

− x2 + 4x − 7 = − ( x2 − 4x + 7) First take out the minus sign

= − [(x − 2)2 − 4 + 7] Remember to use square brackets

= − [(x − 2)2 + 3]
= − (x − 2)2 − 3 Multiply (x − 2)2 and +3 by −1

The maximum value is −3


y It is a maximum value so the shape is

x
(2, −3)
(0, −7)
EXERCISE:

1. By writing the following in the form y = (x + a)2 + b, where a and b are integers, write down
the coordinates of the turning point of the curve. Hence sketch the curve.
(a) y = x2 − 8x + 20 (b) y = x2 − 10x − 1
(c) y = x2 + 4x − 6 (d) y = 2x2 − 12x + 8
(e) y = −x2 + 6x +10 (f) y = 5 − 2x − x2

2. Given the following minimum turning points of quadratic curves, find an equation of the
curve in the form y = x2 + ax + b. Hence sketch each curve.
(a) (2, −3) (b) (−4, 1)
(c) (−1, 5) (d) (3, −12)
(e) (1, −7) (f) (−4, −1)

3. Find the maximum or minimum value of the following curves and sketch each curve.
(a) y = x2 + 4x + 2 (b) y = 1 − 6x − x2
(c) y = −x2 + 2x − 3 (d) y = x2 − 8x + 8
(e) y = x2 − 3x − 1 (f) y = −3x2 + 12x − 9

4. The expression x2 – 3x + 8 can be written in the form (x – a)2 + b for all values of x.
(i) Find the value of a and the value of b.
The equation of a curve is y = f(x) where f(x) = x2 – 3x + 8
The diagram shows part of a sketch of the graph of y = f(x).

The minimum point of the curve is M.


(ii) Write down the coordinates of M.
5. (i) Sketch the graph of f(x) = x2 – 6x + 10, showing the coordinates of the turning point and
the coordinates of any intercepts with the coordinate axes.
(ii) Hence, or otherwise, determine whether f(x) − 3= 0 has any real roots.
Give reasons for your answer.

*6. The minimum point of a quadratic curve is (1, −4). The curve cuts the y-axis at −1.
Show that the equation of the curve is y = 3x2 − 6x −1

*7. The maximum point of a quadratic curve is (−2, −5). The curve cuts the y-axis at −13.
Find the equation of the curve. Give your answer in the form ax2 + bx + c.

* = extension
ANSWERS:

1. (a) (4, 4) (b) (5, −26)


(c) (−2, −10) (d) (3, −10)
(e) (3, 1) (f) (2, −3)

2. (a) y = x2 − 4x + 1 (b) y = x2 + 8x +17


(c) y = x2 + 2x + 6 (d) y = x2 − 6x − 3
(e) y = x2 − 2x − 6 (f) y = x2 − 8x + 15

3. (a) minimum (−2, + 6) (b) maximum (−3, 10)


(c) maximum (1, −2) (d) minimum (4, −8)
(e) minimum (1.5, −3.25) (f) maximum (−2, 3)

4. (i) a = 1.5 b = 5.75


(ii) (1.5, 5.75)

5. (i) y f(x)
10

(3, 1)
x
(ii) It has 2 real roots as if you move the graph 3 down it will cut the x-axis twice
as the minimum point will be (3, −2)

6. Minimum point is (1, −4) thus y = A(x − 1)2 − 4 = Ax2 − 2Ax + A − 4


Cuts y-axis at −1, thus A − 4 = −1
A=3 y = 3x2 − 2(3)x + 3 − 4
y = 3x2 − 6x −1

7. y = −2x2 − 8x − 13

You might also like