DSAT MATH

QUADRATICS &
GRAPHS
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7 QUADRATICS & GRAPHS

A quadratic equation is a second-degree polynomial equation in a single variable, typically

written in the form:

𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

• 𝑥 represents the variable

• 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants

o 𝑎≠0

o −𝑎 = Parabola Opens Downward

o +𝑎/"𝑎" = Parabola Opens Upward

o 𝑐 = 𝑦-intercept

o no 𝑐 = 0 𝑦 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡

The vertex is the point where the parabola reaches its minimum or maximum value.

𝑏 −𝑏
• Vertex of the Quadratic Polynomial: (− 2𝑎 , 𝑓 ( 2𝑎 ))

The solutions to the quadratic equation, known as the roots, can be found using the

quadratic formula:

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

𝑏
which we chose to split into two fractions as below (the expression − 2𝑎 helps reinforce an

important feature of quadratic graphs, the 𝑥-value of the vertex, which will be discussed

later):
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−𝑏 √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥= ±
2𝑎 2𝑎

The symbol ± in the context of the quadratic equation is a shorthand notation that

represents both the positive and negative roots of the equation. It is used in the quadratic

formula to express the fact that there are typically two solutions to a quadratic equation.

Interestingly, the numerator −𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 corresponds directly to the factored form of

the quadratic equation:

(𝑥 − 𝑟1 )(𝑥 − 𝑟2 ) = 0

where 𝑟1 and 𝑟2 are the roots of the equation.

Therefore, the quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 can bee expressed in factored form as:

𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑟1 )(𝑥 − 𝑟2 ) = 0

Most often the test, the value of 𝑎 will be 1.

Lastly, The Vertex Form of a Parabola:

𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘

The constants ℎ and 𝑘 are the coordinates of the vertex of a parabola, (ℎ, 𝑘).

• The term (𝑥 − ℎ)2 represents a horizontal shift.

• The term +𝑘 represents a vertical shift.

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Q1:

2𝑥 2 − 2 = 2𝑥 + 3

Which of the following is a solution to the equation above?

A) 2

B) 1 − √11
1
C) + √11
2

1+√11
D) 2

Q2:

𝑥(𝑥 + 1) − 56 = 4𝑥(𝑥 − 7)

What is the sum of solutions to the given equation?

______________________________
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Q3:

𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 9 = 0

One solution to the given equation can be written as 1 + √𝑘, where 𝑘 is a constant. What is

the value of 𝑘?

A) 8

B) 10

C) 20

D) 40

Q4: A quadratic function models a projectile's height, in meters, above the ground in terms

of the time, in seconds, after it was launched. The model estimates that the projectile was

launched from an initial height of 7 meters above the ground and reached a maximum

height of 51.1 meters above the ground 3 seconds after the launch. How many seconds

after the launch does the model estimate that the projectile will return to a

height of 7 meters?

A) 3

B) 6

C) 7

D) 9
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Product/Sum Of Solutions

𝑏
• Sum of Solutions: − 𝑎

𝑐
• Product of Solutions: 𝑎

Q5:

3𝑥 2 − 29𝑥 + 56

What is the sum of solutions to the given equation?

______________________________

Q6:

3𝑥 2 − 29𝑥 + 56

What is the product of solutions to the given equation?

______________________________
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System of Quadratic Equations

A system of quadratic equations is a set of two or more quadratic equations that share the

same variables. Each equation in the system is a quadratic equation, and the goal is to find

values for the variables that satisfy all the equations simultaneously.

Q7:

𝑦 =𝑥+1

𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 𝑥

If (𝑥, 𝑦) is a solution to the system of equations above, which of the following could be the

value of 𝑥?

A) −1

B) 0

C) 2

D) 3
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Q8:

𝑥−𝑦 =1

𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 3

Which ordered pair is a solution to the system of equations above?

A) (1 + √3, √3)

B) (√3, −√3)

C) (1 + √5, √5)

D) (√5, −1 + √3)

Q9:

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1

𝑥+𝑦+1=0

If (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) are the two solutions to the system of equations above, what is the

value of 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 ?

A) −3

B) −2

C) −1

D) 1
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Discriminant

In the quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, the discriminant, denoted by 𝛥, is given the

expression 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐. Here’s what the discriminant reveals about the roots of the quadratic

equation:

• 𝛥 > 0:

o If the discriminant is positive, there are two distinct real roots.

o Geometrically, the graph of the quadratic function intersects the x-axis at two

points.

• 𝛥 = 0:

o If the discriminant is zero, there is one real root.

o Geometrically, the graph of the quadratic function touches the x-axis at a

single point (repeated root or double root).

• 𝛥<0

o If the discriminant is negative, there are two complex conjugate roots.

o Geometrically, the graph of the quadratic function does not intersect the x-

axis; it stays entirely above or below it.

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Q10:

−𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 − 676 = 0

In the given equation, 𝑏 is a positive integer. The equation has no real solution. What is the

greatest possible value of 𝑏?

___________________________

Q11:

2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 = 𝑡

In the equation above, 𝑡 is a constant. If the equation has no real solutions, which of the

following could be the value of 𝑡?

A) −3

B) −1

C) 1

D) 3

Q12:

𝑥(𝑘𝑥 − 56) = −16

In the given equation, 𝑘 is an integer constant. If the equation has no real solution, what is

the least possible value of 𝑘?

___________________________
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Q13:

𝑥 2 − 34𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0

In the given equation, 𝑐 is a constant. The equation has no real solutions if 𝑐 > 𝑛. What is

the least possible value of 𝑛?

___________________________

Q14:

−16𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0

In the given equation, 𝑐 is a constant. The equation has exactly one solution. What is the

value of 𝑐?

___________________________
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Graphing

Standard Form

𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

• 𝑥 represents the variable

• 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants

o 𝑎≠0

o −𝑎 = Parabola Opens Downward

o +𝑎/"𝑎" = Parabola Opens Upward

o 𝑐 = 𝑦-intercept

o no 𝑐 = 0 𝑦 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡

The vertex is the point where the parabola reaches its minimum or maximum value.

𝑏 −𝑏
• Vertex of the Quadratic Polynomial: (− 2𝑎 , 𝑓 ( 2𝑎 ))
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Key features of a parabola include:
• Vertex: The vertex is the minimum or maximum point of the parabola, and its

coordinates are given by (ℎ, 𝑘) in the vertex form. The axis of symmetry is a vertical

line passing through the vertex.

• Focus and Directrix (for a Parabola Defined by 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 ): A parabola can also be

defined geometrically as the locus of points equidistant from a fixed point called the

focus and a fixed line called the directrix. The vertex of the parabola is the point

halfway between the focus and the directrix.

• Axis of Symmetry: The axis of symmetry is a vertical line passing through the

vertex, dividing the parabola into two symmetric halves.

• Opening: The direction in which the parabola opens is determined by the sign of the

coefficient 𝑎 > 0, the parabola opens upwards, and if 𝑎 < 0, it opens downwards.

• Width: The absolute value of 𝑎 affects the width of the parabola. A larger absolute

value of 𝑎 results in a narrower parabola.

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Q15:

The graph shows the height above ground, in meters, of a ball 𝑥 seconds after the ball was

launched upward from a platform. Which statement is the best interpretation of the

marked point (1.0, 4.8) in this context?

A) 1.0 second after being launched, the ball's height above ground is 4.8 meters.

B) 4.8 seconds after being launched, the ball's height above ground is 1.0 meter.

C) The ball was launched from an initial height of 1.0 meter with an initial velocity of

4.8 meters per second.

D) The ball was launched from an initial height of 4.8 meters with an initial velocity of

1.0 meter per second.

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Q16:

Scientists recorded data about the ocean water levels at a certain location over a period of

6 hours. The graph shown models the data, where 𝑦 = 0 represents sea level. Which table

gives values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑦 based on the model?

A)
𝑥 𝑦

0 −12

0 3

3 6

B)
𝑥 𝑦

0 0

3 12

0 −6
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C)
𝑥 𝑦

0 0

3 −12

6 0

D)
𝑥 𝑦

0 0

12 −12

−6 0

Q17:

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑐

In the given quadratic function, 𝑎 and 𝑐 are constants. The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) in the 𝑥𝑦-

plane is a parabola that opens upward and has a vertex at the point (ℎ, 𝑘), where ℎ and 𝑘

are constants. If 𝑘 < 0 and 𝑓(−9) = 𝑓(3), which of the following must be true?

I. 𝑐<0

II. 𝑎≥1

A) I only

B) II only

C) I and II

D) Neither I nor II
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Q18:

Which of the following could be the equation of the graph shown in the 𝑥𝑦-plane?

1
A) 𝑦 = − 10 𝑥(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 5)

1
B) 𝑦 = − 10 𝑥(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 5)2

1
C) 𝑦 = − 10 𝑥(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 4)

1
D) 𝑦 = − 10 𝑥(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 4)
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Factored Form: Zeros of the Quadratic

The quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 can be expressed in factored form as:

𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑟1 )(𝑥 − 𝑟2 ) = 0

The zeros of the equation are 𝒓𝟏 and 𝒓𝟐 .

Most often the test, the value of 𝑎 will be 1.

• If we know that (𝑥 − 𝑟1 ) is a factor of a polynomial, then we know that 𝑟1 is a

zero of the polynomial.

Q19:
𝑥 𝑝(𝑥)

−2 𝑝(𝑥) = 5

−1 𝑝(𝑥) = 0

𝑥=0 −3

𝑥=1 −1

𝑧−2 𝑝(𝑥) = 0

The table above gives selected value of a polynomial function 𝑝. Based on the values in the

table, which of the following must be a factor of 𝑝?

A) (𝑥 − 3)

B) (𝑥 + 3)

C) (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 2)

D) (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 2)
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Vertex Form

The Vertex Form of a Parabola:

𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘

• The constants ℎ and 𝑘 are the coordinates of the vertex of a parabola, (ℎ, 𝑘).

• The term (𝑥 − ℎ)2 represents a horizontal shift.

• The term +𝑘 represents a vertical shift.

• −𝑎 = Parabola Opens Downward

• +𝑎/"𝑎" = Parabola Opens Upward

Q20:

𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 2 + 64𝑥 + 262

The function 𝑔 is defined by 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥 + 5). For what value of 𝑥 does 𝑔(𝑥) reach its

minimum?

A) −13

B) −8

C) −5

D) −3
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Q21:

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)

−1 10

0 14

1 20

For the quadratic function 𝑓, the table shows three values of 𝑥 and their corresponding

values of 𝑓(𝑥). Which equation defines 𝑓?

A) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 14

B) 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 14

C) 𝑓(𝑥) = 9𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 14

D) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 14

Q22: In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, a parabola has vertex (9, −14) and intersects the 𝑥-axis at two points.

If the equation of the parabola is written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐

are constants, which of the following could be the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐?

A) −23

B) −19

C) −14

D) −12
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Solutions to Systems of Quadratic and Linear Equations

The quadratic equation depicts a parabola, while the linear equation represents a straight

line. The solutions to the system correspond to the points of intersection between these

two curves on the coordinate plane. The number of intersections dictates the number of

solutions: two intersections imply two solutions, one intersection indicates one solution,

and no intersections signify no real solutions.

Q23:

A system of equations consists of a quadratic equation and a linear equation. The equations

in this system are graphed in the 𝑥𝑦-plane above. How many solutions does this system

have?

A) 0

B) 1

C) 2

D) 3
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Practice Problems (Classwork)

Q1:

𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 1 = 0

What values satisfy the equation above?

A) 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑥 = 2
1 3
B) 𝑥 = − 2 and 𝑥 = 2

1+√5 1−√5
C) 𝑥 = and 𝑥 =
2 2

−1+√5 −1−√5
D) 𝑥 = and 𝑥 =
2 2

Q2:

ℎ(𝑥) = 2(𝑥 − 4)2 − 32

The quadratic function ℎ is defined as shown. In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, the graph of 𝑦 = ℎ(𝑥)

intersects the 𝑥-axis at the points (0,0) and (𝑡, 0), where 𝑡 is a constant. What is the value of

𝑡?

A) 1

B) 2

C) 4

D) 8

Practice Problems (Classwork)

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Q3: In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, a line with equation 2𝑦 = 4.5 intersects a parabola at exactly one point.

If the parabola has equation 𝑦 = −4𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥, where 𝑏 is a positive constant, what is the

value of 𝑏?

______________________

Q4: A machine launches a softball from ground level. The softball reaches a maximum

height of 51.84 meters above the ground at 1.8 seconds and hits the ground at 3.6 meters.

Which equation represents the height above ground ℎ, in meters, of the softball 𝑡 seconds

after it is launched?

A) −𝑡 2 + 3.6

B) −𝑡 2 + 51.84

C) −16(𝑡 − 1.8)2 − 3.6

D) −16(𝑡 − 1.8)2 + 51.84

Practice Problems (Classwork)

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Q5:

𝑓(𝑥) = −500𝑥 2 + 25,000𝑥

The revenue 𝑓(𝑥), in dollars, that a company receives from sales of a product is given by

the function 𝑓 above, where 𝑥 is the unit price, in dollars, of the product. The graph of

𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) in the 𝑥𝑦-plane intersects the 𝑥-axis at 0 and 𝑎. What does 𝑎 represent?

A) The revenue, in dollars, when the unit price of the product is $0

B) The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in maximum revenue

C) The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in a revenue of $0

D) The maximum revenue, in dollars, that the company can make

Q6:

The 𝑥-intercept of the graph shown is (𝑥, 0). What is the value of 𝑥?

______________________

Practice Problems (Classwork)

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Q7: In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, a line with equation 2𝑦 = 𝑐 for some constant 𝑐 intersects a parabola at

exactly one point. If the parabola has equation 𝑦 = −2𝑥 2 + 9𝑥, What is the value of 𝑐?

______________________

Q8:

The graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is shown, where the function 𝑓 is defined by

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 and 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 and 𝑑 are constants. For how many values of 𝑥 does

𝑓(𝑥) = 0?

A) One

B) Two

C) Three

D) Four

Practice Problems (Classwork)

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Q9: The function 𝑓 is defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 6)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 6). In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, the graph of

𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥) is the result of translating the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) up 4 units. What is the value of

𝑔(0)?

______________________

Q10:

The graph of a system of a linear equation and a nonlinear equation is shown. What is the

solution (𝑥, 𝑦) to this system?

A) (0,0)

B) (0,2)

C) (2,4)

D) (4,0)

Practice Problems (Classwork)

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Q11:

√(𝑥 − 2)2 = √3𝑥 + 34

What is the smallest solution to the given equation?

______________________

Q12:

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 14𝑥 + 22

The given equation relates the variables 𝑥 and 𝑦. For what value of 𝑥 does the value of 𝑦

reach its minimum?

______________________

Q13:

57𝑥 2 + (57𝑏 + 𝑎)𝑥 + 𝑎𝑏 = 0

In the given equation, 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive constants. The product of the solutions to the

given equation is 𝑘𝑎𝑏, where 𝑘 is a constant. What is the value of 𝑘?

1
A) 57

1
B) 19

C) 1

D) 57

Practice Problems (Classwork)

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Q14:

𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 14)(𝑥 + 19)

The function 𝑓 is defined by the given equation. For what value of 𝑥 does 𝑓(𝑥) reach its

minimum?

A) −266

B) −19

33
C) − 2

5
D) − 2

Q15: In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, what is the 𝑦-coordinate of the point of intersection of the graphs of

𝑦 = (𝑥 − 1)2 and 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 3?

______________________

Q16:

𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 6)(𝑥 − 4)

If the given function 𝑓 is graphed in the 𝑥𝑦-plane, where 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), what is the 𝑥-coordinate

of an 𝑥-intercept of the graph?

______________________

Practice Problems (Classwork)

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Q17:

𝑥(𝑘𝑥 − 56) = −16

In the given equation, 𝑘 is an integer constant, If the equation has no real solution, what is

the least possible value of 𝑘?

______________________

Q18:

𝑥 2 − 𝑎𝑥 + 12 = 0

In the equation above, 𝑎 is a constant and 𝑎 > 0. If the equation has two integer solutions,

what is the possible value of 𝑎?

______________________

Q19:

√2𝑥 + 6 + 4 = 𝑥 + 3

What is the solution set of the equation above?

A) {−1}

B) {5}

C) {−1, 5}

D) {0, −1,5}

Practice Problems (Classwork)

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Q20:

1
The graph of the function 𝑓, defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = − 2 (𝑥 − 4)2 + 10, is shown in the 𝑥𝑦-plane

above. If the function 𝑔 (not shown) is defined by 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥 + 10, what is one possible

value of 𝑎 such that 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑔(𝑎)?

______________________

Q21: The product of two positive integers is 546. If the first integer is 11 greater than twice

the second integer, what is the smaller of the two integers?

______________________

Q22:

(𝑥 − 1)2 = 4

How many distinct real solutions does the given equation have?

A) Exactly one

B) Exactly two

C) Infinitely many

D) Zero

Practice Problems (Classwork)

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Q23:

𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 6)(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 4)

The function 𝑓 is given. Which table of value represents 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) − 3?

A)

B)

C)

D)

Practice Problems (Classwork)

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Q24:

5𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 16 = 0

How many distinct real solutions does the given equation have?

A) Exactly one

B) Exactly two

C) Infinitely many

D) Zero

Q25:

−9𝑥 2 + 30𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0

In the given equation, 𝑐 is a constant. The equation has exactly one solution. What is the

value of 𝑐?

A) 3

B) 0

C) −25

D) −53

Practice Problems (Classwork)

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Q26:

𝑥2 𝑐2
= + 39
√𝑥 2 − 𝑐 2 √𝑥 2 − 𝑐 2

In the given equation, 𝑐 is a positive constant. Which of the following is one of the solutions

to the given equation?

A) −𝑐

B) −𝑐 − 392

C) −√392 − 𝑐 2

D) −√𝑐 2 + 392

Q27:

8𝑥 + 𝑦 = −11

2𝑥 2 = 𝑦 + 341

The graphs of the equations in the given system of equations intersect at the point (𝑥, 𝑦) in

the 𝑥𝑦-plane. What is a possible value of 𝑥?

A) −15

B) −11

C) 2

D) 8

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Q28: The height, in feet, of an object 𝑥 seconds after it is thrown straight up in the air can be

modeled by the function ℎ(𝑥) = −16𝑥 2 + 20𝑥 + 5. Based on the model, which of the

following statements best interprets the equation ℎ(1.4) = 1.64?

A) The height of the object 1.4 seconds after being thrown straight up in the air is 1.64

feet.

B) The height of the object 1.64 seconds after being thrown straight up in the air is 1.4

feet.

C) The height of the object 1.64 seconds after being thrown straight up in the air is

approximately 1.4 times as great as its initial height.

D) The speed of the object 1.4 seconds after being thrown straight up in the air is

approximately 1.64 feet per second.

Q29: The function 𝑓 is defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1). The graph of 𝑓 in the 𝑥𝑦-plane is a

parabola. Which of the following intervals contains the 𝑥-coordinate of the vertex of the

graph of 𝑓?

A) −4 < 𝑥 < −3

B) −3 < 𝑥 < 1

C) 1 < 𝑥 < 3

D) 3 < 𝑥 < 4

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Q30:

𝑓(𝜃) = −0.28(𝜃 − 27)2 + 880

An engineer wanted to identify the best angle for a cooling fan in an engine in order to get

the greatest airflow. The engineer discovered that the function above models the airflow

𝑓(𝜃), in cubic feet per minute, as a function of the angle of the fan 𝜃, in degrees. According

to the model, what angle, in degrees, gives the greatest airflow?

A) −0.28

B) 0.28

C) 27

D) 880

Q31:

𝑦 = (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 4)

𝑦 = 6𝑥 − 12

Which ordered pair (𝑥, 𝑦) is the solution to the given system of equations?

A) (0,2)

B) (−4,2)

C) (2,0)

D) (2, −4)

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Practice Problems (Homework)

Q1: In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 9 intersects line 𝑝 at (1, 𝑎) and (5, 𝑏), where 𝑎

and 𝑏 are constants. What is the slope of line 𝑝?

A) 6

B) 2

C) −2

D) −6

Q2:

𝑥 + 𝑦 = 17

𝑥𝑦 = 72

If one solution to the system of equations above is (𝑥, 𝑦), what is one possible value of 𝑥?

______________________

Q3: A rubber ball bounces upward one-half the height that it falls each time it hits the

ground. If the ball was originally dropped from a distance of 20.0 feet above the ground,

what was its maximum height above the ground, in feet, between the third and fourth time

it hit the ground?

______________________

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Q4:

𝑥 − 29 = (𝑥 − 𝑎)(𝑥 − 29)

Which of the following are solutions to the given equation, where 𝑎 is a constant and

𝑎 > 30?

I. 𝑎

II. 𝑎+1

III. 29

A) I and II only

B) I and III only

C) II and II only

D) I, II, and III

Q5:

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 − 360

If the given function 𝑓 is graphed in the 𝑥𝑦-plane, where 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), what is an 𝑥-intercept of

the graph?

A) (−12,0)

B) (−30,0)

C) (−360,0)

D) (12,0)

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Q6:

The quadratic function graphed above models a particular measure of plant diversity as a

function of the elevation in a region of Switzerland. According to the model, which of the

following is closest to the elevation, in meters, at which plant diversity is greatest?

A) 13,500

B) 3,000

C) 1,250

D) 250

Q7:

𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 12 = 0

If 𝑎 is a solution of the equation above and 𝑎 > 0, what is the value of 𝑎?

______________________

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Q8:

𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 21𝑥 + 64

𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 𝑎

In the given system of equation, 𝑎 is a constant. The graphs of the equations in the given

system intersect at exactly one point, (𝑥, 𝑦), in the 𝑥𝑦-plane. What is the value of 𝑥?

A) −8

B) −6

C) 6

D) 8

Q9:

𝑥 2 = 6𝑥 + 𝑦

𝑦 = −6𝑥 + 36

A solution to the given system of equations is (𝑥, 𝑦). Which of the following is a possible

value of 𝑥𝑦?

A) 0

B) 6

C) 12

D) 36

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Q10:

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 4

The function 𝑓 is defined as shown. Which of the following graphs in the 𝑥𝑦-plane could be

the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)?

A)

B)

C)

D)

Q11: In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, the graph of 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 14𝑥 intersects the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 at the points

(0,0) and (𝑎, 𝑎). What is the value of 𝑎?

______________________

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Q12:

ℎ(𝑡) = −16𝑡 2 + 110𝑡 + 72

The function above models the height ℎ, in feet, of an object above ground 𝑡 seconds after

being launched straight up in the air. What does the number 72 represent in the function?

A) The initial height, in feet, of the object

B) The maximum height, in feet, of the object

C) The initial speed, in feet per second, of the object

D) The maximum speed, in feet per second, of the object

Q13:

𝑥 + 7 = 10

(𝑥 + 7)2 = 𝑦

Which ordered pair (𝑥, 𝑦) is a solution to the given system of equations?

A) (3,100)

B) (3,3)

C) (3,10)

D) (3,70)

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Q14:

The table shows three values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑦, where 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) + 4

and 𝑓 is a quadratic function. What is the 𝑦-coordinate of the 𝑦-intercept of the graph of

𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) in the 𝑥𝑦-plane?

______________________

Q15: A quadratic function models the height, in feet, of an object above the ground in terms

of the time, in seconds, after the object is launched off an elevated surface. The model

indicates the object has an initial height of 10 feet above the ground and reaches its

maximum height of 1,034 feet above the ground 8 seconds after being launched. Based on

the model, what is the height, in feet, of the object above the ground 10 seconds

after being launched?

A) 234

B) 778

C) 970

D) 1,014

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Q16:

64𝑥 2 − (16𝑎 + 4𝑏)𝑥 + 𝑎𝑏 = 0

In the given equation, 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive constants. The sum of the solutions to the given

equation is 𝑘(4𝑎 + 𝑏), where 𝑘 is a constant. What is the value of 𝑘?

______________________

Q17:

𝑦 = 𝑥2

2𝑦 + 6 = 2(𝑥 + 3)

If (𝑥, 𝑦) is a solution of the system of equations above and 𝑥 > 0, what is the value of 𝑥𝑦?

A) 1

B) 2

C) 3

D) 9

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Q18: Function 𝑓 is defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 6)(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 1). Function 𝑔 is defined by

𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥 − 1). The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥) in the 𝑥𝑦-plane has 𝑥-intercepts at (𝑎, 0), (𝑏, 0),

and (𝑐, 0), where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are distinct constants. What is the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐?

A) −15

B) −9

C) 11

D) 15

Q19:

𝑥 2 − 40𝑥 − 10 = 0

What is the sum of the solutions to the given equation?

A) 0

B) 5

C) 10

D) 40

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Q20: The total distance 𝑑, in meters, traveled by an object moving in a straight line can be

modeled by a quadratic function that is defined in terms of 𝑡, where 𝑡 is the time in seconds.

At a time of 10.0 seconds, the total distance traveled by the object is 50.0 meters, and at a

time of 20.0 seconds, the total distance traveled by the object is 200.0 meters. If the object

was at a distance of 0 meters when 𝑡 = 0, then what is the total distance traveled, in

meters, by the object after 30.0 seconds?

______________________

Q21:

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 7

𝑦 − 5𝑥 + 8 = 0

How many solutions are there to the system of equations above?

A) 4 solutions exactly.

B) 2 solutions exactly

C) 1 solution exactly.

D) There are no solutions.

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Q22:

6𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 7 = 0

What are the solutions to the given equation?

−5±√25+168
A) 12

−6±√25+168
B) 12

−5±√36−168
C) 12

−6±√36−168
D) 12

Q23:

𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 2 − 50𝑥 + 126

The equation defines the function 𝑓. For what value of 𝑥 does 𝑓(𝑥) reach its minimum?

______________________

Q24:

ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

The function ℎ is defined above, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are integer constants. If the zeros of the

function are −5, 6, and 7, what is the value of 𝑐?

______________________

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Practice Problems (Extra Practice)

Q1:

64𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 25 = 0

In the given equation, 𝑏 is a constant. For which of the following values of 𝑏 will the

equation have more than one real solution?

A) −91

B) −80

C) 5

D) 40

Q2:

𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 7)2 + 4

The function 𝑓 is defined by the given equation. For what value of 𝑥 does 𝑓(𝑥) reach its

minimum?

______________________

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Q3:

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 14𝑥 + 48

𝑥 + 8 = 11

The solution to the given system of equations is (𝑥, 𝑦). What is the value of 𝑦?

______________________

Q4:

The graph of the polynomial function 𝑓, where 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), is shown. The 𝑦-intercept of the

graph is (0, 𝑦). What is the value of 𝑦?

______________________

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Q5:

𝑦 = −1.50

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑎

In the given system of equations, 𝑎 is a positive constant. The system has exactly has one

distinct real solution. What is the value of 𝑎?

______________________

Q6: An object is kicked from a platform. The equation ℎ = −4.9𝑡 2 + 7𝑡 + 9 represents this

situation, where ℎ is the height of the object above the ground, in meters, 𝑡 seconds after it

is kicked. Which number represents the height, in meters, from which the

object was kicked?

A) 0

B) 4.9

C) 7

D) 9

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Q7:

ℎ(𝑥) = −16𝑥 2 + 100𝑥 + 10

The quadratic function above models the height above the ground ℎ, in feet, of a projectile 𝑥

seconds after it had been launched vertically. If 𝑦 = ℎ(𝑥) is graphed in the 𝑥𝑦-plane, which

of the following represents the real-life meaning of the positive 𝑥-intercept of the graph?

A) The initial height of the projectile

B) The maximum height.of the projectile

C) The time at which the projectile reaches its maximum height

D) The time at which the projectile hits the ground

Q8:

𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 10)(𝑥 + 13)

The function 𝑓 is defined by the given equation. For what value of 𝑥 does 𝑓(𝑥) reach its

minimum?

A) −130

B) −13

23
C) − 2

3
D) − 2

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Q9: In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, the graph of the equation 𝑦 = −𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 − 100 intersects the line 𝑦 = 𝑐

at exactly one point. What is the value of 𝑐?

481
A) − 4

B) −100

319
C) − 4

9
D) − 2

Q10: What is the minimum value of the function 𝑓 defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 2)2 − 4?

A) −4

B) −2

C) 2

D) 4

Q11:

𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 − 𝑐

In the equation above, 𝑎 and 𝑐 are positive constants. How many times does the graph of

the equation above intersect the graph of the equation 𝑦 = 𝑎 + 𝑐 in the 𝑥𝑦-plane?

A) Zero

B) One

C) Two

D) More than two

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Q12:

𝑥2 + 𝑦 + 7 = 7

20𝑥 + 100 − 𝑦 = 0

The solution to the given system of equation is (𝑥, 𝑦). What is the value of 𝑥?

______________________

Q13:

The scatterplot shows the amount of material recycled by Joe's neighborhood, in hundreds

of pounds, over a period of several weeks. Which equation is the best model for the data in

Joe's scatter plot?

A) 7.67𝑥 2 + 53.03𝑥 + 87.8

B) −7.67𝑥 2 − 53.03𝑥 − 87.8

C) −7.67𝑥 2 + 53.03𝑥 + 87.8

D) 7.67𝑥 2 + 53.03+87.8

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Q14: The zeros of a polynomial function are -2 and 1. In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, which of the

following graphs represents this function most accurately?

A)

B)

C)

D)

Practice Problems (Extra Practice)