Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Your notes

Maths: Extended
Quadratic Graphs
Contents
Quadratic Graphs

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 Quadratic Graphs
Your notes
Quadratic Graphs
What is a quadratic graph?
A quadratic graph has the form y = ax 2 + bx + c
where a is not zero

What does a quadratic graph look like?

A quadratic graph is a smooth curve with a vertical line of symmetry

A positive number in front of x 2 gives a u-shaped curve

A negative number in front of x 2 gives an n-shaped curve

The shape made by a quadratic graph is known as a parabola

A quadratic graph will always cross the y -axis

A quadratic graph crosses the x -axis twice, once, or not at all

The points where the graph crosses the x -axis are called the roots

If the graph is a u-shape, it has a minimum point

If the graph is an n-shape, it has a maximum point
Minimum and maximum points are both examples of turning points
A turning point can also be called a vertex

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How do I sketch a quadratic graph?
It is important to know how to sketch a quadratic curve Your notes
A simple drawing showing the key features is often sufficient
(For a more accurate graph, create a table of values and plot the points)
To sketch a quadratic graph:

First sketch the x and y -axes

Identify the y -intercept and mark it on the y -axis

The y -intercept of y = ax 2 + bx + c will be 0, c ( )

It can also be found by substituting in x = 0

Find all root(s) (0, 1 or 2) of the equation and mark them on the x -axis

The roots will be the solutions to y = 0 ; ax 2 + bx + c = 0

You can find the solutions by factorising, completing the square or using the
quadratic formula

Identify if the number a in ax 2 + bx + c is positive or negative

A positive value will result in a u-shape
A negative value will result in an n-shape

Sketch a smooth curve through the x and y -intercepts

Mark on any axes intercepts

Mark on the coordinates of the maximum/minimum point if you know it

How do I find the coordinates of the turning point by

completing the square?
The coordinates of the turning point (vertex) of a quadratic graph can be found by
completing the square

=a x −p 2+q
For a quadratic graph written in the form y ( )

the minimum or maximum point has coordinates p , q ( )

Beware: there is a sign change for the x -coordinate

A curve with equation y = x − 3 2 + 2, has a minimum point at 3, 2

( ) ( )

A curve with equation y = x + 3 2 + 2 , has a minimum point at −3, 2

( ) ( )

The value of a does not affect the coordinates of the turning point but it will change the
shape of the graph

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 If it is positive, the graph will be a u-shape

The curve y = 5 x − 3 2 + 2 has a minimum point at 3, 2

( ) ( ) Your notes
If it is negative, the graph will be an n-shape

The curve y = − 8 x − 3 2 + 2 has a maximum point at 3, 2

( ) ( )

How do I find the coordinates of the turning point using

differentiation?
The coordinates of the turning point (maximum/minimum) of a quadratic can be found
through differentiation
To find the coordinates of the turning point

Differentiate the quadratic equation y = ax 2 + bx + c

dy
This will give you
dx
dy
Set
dx
= 0 and solve for x
The solution will be the x -coordinate of the turning point

Substitute the x value into y = ax 2 + bx + c

This will give you the y -coordinate of the turning point

Worked Example
(a) Sketch the graph of y = x 2 − 5x + 6 showing the x and y intercepts clearly.
The +c at the end is the y -intercept
y -intercept: (0, 6)
Factorise the quadratic expression

y = x −2 x −3
( ) ( )

Solve y =0
( x −2 x −3
) ( ) = 0, so x = 2 or x = 3
So the x-intercepts are given by the coordinates
(2, 0) and (3, 0)
It is a positive quadratic graph, so will be a u-shape

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 Your notes

= − + 13 showing the y -intercept and the

(b) Sketch the graph of y x 2 6x
coordinates of the turning point.
It is a positive quadratic, so will be a u-shape
The turning point will therefore be a minimum

The +c at the end is the y -intercept

y -intercept: (0, 13)
Find the minimum point by completing the square (or through differentiation)
For example, complete the square by writing the equation in the form
− +
a x p 2 q (you may need to look this method up)
( )

x 2 − 6x + 13 = x − 3
( − 9 + 13
)
2

= x −3
(
2+4 )

The turning point of y = a x − p 2 + q has coordinates p , q

( ) ( )

The minimum point is therefore

(3, 4)

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As the minimum point is above the x -axis, and the curve is a u-shape, this means the
graph will not cross the x -axis (it has no roots)
Your notes

(c) Sketch the graph of y = − − − 4 showing the root(s), y -intercept, and

x 2 4x
the coordinates of the turning point.
It is a negative quadratic, so will be an n-shape
The turning point will therefore be a maximum

The +c at the end is the y -intercept

y -intercept: (0, -4)
Find the minimum point by completing the square or through differentiation
For example, differentiate the equation

dy
dx
= − 2x − 4
Set the derivative equal to zero and solve for x

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 0 = − 2x − 4
2x = − 4 Your notes
x = −2
Substitute this value of x back into the original equation for y

y = − −2 2 − 4
( ) −2 − 4
( )

y = −4+8−4
y =0
This shows that the maximum point has coordinates
(-2, 0)

As the maximum is on the x -axis, there is only one root

How do I find the equation of a quadratic from its

graph?
If the vertex and one other point are known

Use the form y = a x − p 2 + q to fill in p and q

( )

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 The vertex is at p q
( , )

Then substitute in the other known point x y to find a ( , )

Your notes
If the roots (x -intercepts) and one other point are known

Use the form y = a x − x1 x − x2

( ) ( )
to fill in x and x
1 2

The roots are at (

x 1 , 0 and x 2 , 0
) ( )

Then substitute in the other known point ( x , y to find a

)

If a = 1 then you only need either the vertex or the roots

Worked Example
(a) Find the equation of the graph below.

The graph shows the roots and a point on the curve (in this case the y -intercept)

Use the form y = a x − x1 x − x2

( ) ( )
to fill in x and x by inspection
1 2

The roots are at x 1 , 0 and x 2 , 0

( ) ( )

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 y =a x −2 x −3
( ) ( )

Substitute in the other known point (0, 24) to find a Your notes

24 = a 0 − 2 0 − 3
( ) ( )

24 = a −2 −3
( ) ( )

24 = 6a
4=a
Write the full equation

y =4 x −2 x −3
( ) ( )

You could also write this in expanded form: y = 4x 2 − 20x + 24

(b) Find the equation of the graph below.

The graph shows the vertex and a point on the curve

Use the form y = a x − p 2 + q to fill in p and q by inspection

( )

The vertex is at p , q
( )

y = a x − 9 2 − 16
( )

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Substitute in the other known point (2, 82) to find a

82 = a 2 − 9 2 − 16
( )
Your notes
82 = a −7 2 − 16
( )

82 = 49a − 16
98 = 49a
2=a
Write the full equation

y = 2 x − 9 2 − 16
( )

You could also write this in expanded form: y = 2x 2 − 36x + 146

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