Quadratic Functions

• Quadratic functions (parabolas) have the following form:

• The lowest or highest point on a quadratic graph is called the vertex.

• The x-coordinate of the vertex occurs at

• This vertical line also forms the axis of symmetry of the graph, which means that if the
graph were folded along its axis, the left and right sides of the graph would coincide.
• In graphs of the form if a > 0, then the graph opens up.

• If a < 0, then the graph opens down.

• By completing the square, the form can be written as

• The vertex occurs at the point (h, k) and the axis of symmetry is the line x = h.
quadratic functions can also be horizontally symmetric

• The furthest point to the left on this graph is called the vertex.
• The y-coordinate of the vertex occurs at . This horizontal line also forms the axis

of symmetry of the graph, which means that if the graph were folded along its axis, the
top and bottom parts of the graph would coincide.
• In graphs of the form if a > 0, then the graph opens to the right and
if a < 0 then the graph opens to the left.
Example: 1
Evaluate the quadratic function F(x) = 2x2-5x +3
Solution:
The given function F(x) = 2x2-5x +3 Where a= 2, b = -5 and c = 3
To graph the quadratic function,
Plug x = 0 f(0) = 2(0)2- 5(0) + 3 = 3 Points (0,3)
2
Plug x = 1 f(1) = 2(1) - 5 (1) +3 = 0 Points (1,0)
2
Plug x = 2 f(2) = 2(2) - 5 (2) +3 = 1 Points (2,1)

To Find vertex

x = -- > x =1.25
Plug x = 1.25 in function, f(1.25) = 2(1.25)2 -5(1.25) + 3
= 3.125 – 6.25 + 3 = -0.125
Vertex (1.25, -0.125)

Example 2:
Evaluate the quadratic function F(x) = 2x2 – x + 2
Solution:
The given function F(x) =2 x2- x +2 Where a= 2, b = -1 and c = 2
To graph the quadratic function,
Plug x = 0 f(0) = 2(0)2 - 1(0) + 2 = 2 Points (0,2)
2
Plug x = 2 f(2) = 2(2) - 1(2) + 2 = 8 Points (2,8)
Plug x = -1 f(-1) = 2(-1)2 - 1(-1) + 2= 5 Points (-1,5)

To Find vertex

x = --- > x = 0.25

Plug x = 0.25 in function, f(0.25) = 2(0.25)2 -1(0.25) + 2
= 0.125 – 0.25+ 2 = 1.875
Vertex (0.167, 1.875)
 Practice Questions
1) The graph of and the graph of the line k intersect at (0, p) and (1, q).

Which one of the following is the smallest possible slope of line k ?

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E)

2) At time t = 0, a projectile was fired upward from an initial height of 10 feet. Its height
after t seconds is given by the function , where p and q are

positive constants. If the projectile reached a maximum height of 100 feet when t = 3,
then what was the height, in feet, of the projectile when t = 4 ?
(A) 62
(B) 70
(C) 85
(D) 89
(E) 90

3) Determine which of the graph represents a quadratic function.

 A) Graph 1 and Graph 4 only
B) Graph 1 only
C) Graph 1 and Graph 4 only
D) Graph 4 only

4) Which quadratic function best represents the graph?

A) y = - x2 - 2x + 1
B) y = x2 - 2x + 1
C) y = x2 + 2x + 1
D) y = - x2 + 2x + 1

5) Evaluate the quadratic function F(x) = 3x2 –2 x +1

A) Vertex (0.33, 0.667)
B) Vertex (1.33, 0.5)
C) Vertex (2.3, 0.7)
D) Vertex (3, 0.8)
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