3•1  raphing Quadratic

G
Functions
Graph Quadratic Functions

Quadratic functions have degree 2. The graph of a

quadratic function is a parabola.

Quadratic A function defined by an equation of the form

Function f(x) = ax2 + bx + c, where a ≠ 0

A parabola with these characteristics:

Graph of a y-intercept: c;
axis of symmetry: x = -​ _​;
Quadratic b
FunctionFunction 2a
x- coordinate of vertex: -​ _​
b
2a

EXAMPLE Axis of Symmetry, y-intercept, and Vertex

Find the y-intercept, the equation of the axis of
symmetry, and the x-coordinate of the vertex for
the graph of f(x) = x2 - 3x + 5. Use this
information to graph the function.
For this function, a = 1, b = -3, and c = 5, so the
y-intercept is 5.
The equation of the axis of symmetry is x = - __ ​ or _
(-3) 3
​  ​  2 ​.
2(1)
The x-coordinate of the vertex is ​ _
3
2 ​.
Next make a table of values for x near ​ _
3
2 ​. Then, use the
values in the table to graph the function.
x x2 - 3x + 5 f(x) (x, f(x)) f (x)
6
0 02 - 3(0) + 5 5 (0, 5)
1 12 - 3(1) + 5 3 (1, 3) 4

​ _
3 _
​ ​​ ​  2 ​ ​ ​ ​- 3​ _
() () ​ _ (​ _​  23 ​, ​ _114 ​)​
2
3 3 11
2
​  2 ​ ​ + 5 4
​ 2

2 22 - 3(2) + 5 3 (2, 3) -2 O 2 4 x
3 3 - 3(3) + 5
2
5 (3, 5)
     
Graphing Quadratic Functions 93
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 Maximum and Minimum Values
3•1

The y-coordinate of the vertex of a quadratic function is the

maximum value or minimum value of the function.
GRAPHING QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS

Maximum or Minimum The graph of f(x) = ax 2 + bx + c,

Value of a Quadratic where a ≠ 0, opens up and has a
Function minimum when a > 0. The graph opens
down and has a maximum when a < 0.

EXAMPLE Maximum or Minimum Values

Determine whether each function has a maximum
or minimum value, and find that value. Then state
the domain and range, and graph the function.
a. f(x) = 3x 2 - 6x + 7
For this function, a = 3 and b = -6.
Since a > 0, the graph opens up, and the function has a
minimum value.
The minimum value is the y-coordinate of the vertex.


(-6)
The x-coordinate of the vertex is -​ _ ​= - __
b
2a
​  ​ = 1.
2(3)
Evaluate the function at x = 1 to find the minimum
value.
f(1) = ​3(1) ​2 ​- 6(1) + 7 = 4, so the minimum value of the
function is 4.
y

-4 -2 O 2 4x

The domain is all real numbers. The range is all real

numbers greater than or equal to the minimum value,
that is {f(x) | f(x) ≥C003_L001_031A_144034
4}.

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 b. f(x) = 100 - 2x - x 2
For this function, a = -1 and b = -2.
Since a < 0, the graph opens down, and the function
has a maximum value.
The maximum value is the y-coordinate of the vertex.
The x-coordinate of the vertex is -​ _
b
2a
​.
-​ _ ​ = - __
b -2
​   ​ a = -1, b = -2
2a 2(-1)
= -_
-2
​   ​ Multiply.
-2
= -1 Simplify.
Evaluate the function at x = -1 to find the maximum
value.
f(-1) = 100 - 2(-1) - (-1)2 Substitute.
= 100 + 2 - 1 Multiply.
= 101 Simplify.
The maximum value of the function is 101.
y

80

40

-16 -8 O 8 16 x
-40

-80

The domain is all real numbers. The range is all real

numbers less than or equal to the maximum value, that
C003_L001_032A_144034-A
is {f(x) ⎜ f(x) ≤ 101}.

Graphing Quadratic Functions 95

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 3•1 Exercises
3•1

Complete parts a–c for each quadratic function.

EXERCISES

a. Find the y-intercept, the equation of the axis of

symmetry, and the x-coordinate of the vertex.
b. Make a table of values that includes the vertex.
c. Use this information to graph the function.
1. f(x) = x2 + 6x + 8

2. f(x) = -x2 - 2x + 2

3. f(x) = 2x2 - 4x + 3

4. f(x) = -x2 + 2x - 4

Determine whether each function has a maximum or

minimum value, and find that value. Then state the
domain and range and graph the function.

5. f(x) = 2x2 - x + 10

6. f(x) = x2 + 4x - 7

7. f(x) = 3x2 - 3x + 1

8. f(x) = x2 + 5x + 2

9. f(x) = 20 + 6x - x2

10. f(x) = 4x2 + x + 3

11. f(x) = -x2 - 4x + 10

12. f(x) = x2 - 10x + 5

96 HotTopic 3
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