Lesson 4

Functions 4
Objectives:

-To understand the graph of non-linear functions with their zeros

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Introduction: fundamentals
We have seen quadratic equations (or functions) in Standard Form and Factored Form, and both
can tell us certain things about what the graphs of these equations will look like.

Not all quadratic equations are easily factorable, and not all parabolas intersect the 𝑥-axis (have real
zeros or 𝑥-intercepts). But when quadratics can be factored, they will definitely have 𝑥-intercepts,
and the Factored Form, 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 + 𝑝)(𝑥 + 𝑞), we know that its zeros are −𝑝 and −𝑞 (it has
𝑥-intercepts at (−𝑝, 0) and (−𝑞, 0)).

The zeros correspond to points on the graph where the 𝑦-value is 0 (these are 𝑥-intercepts). If we
know that (𝑥 + 𝑝) is a factor of a polynomial, then we know that −𝑝 is a zero of the polynomial.

Example: 𝑥 − 4 is a factor of a quadratic.

▪ Practice: Find the zeros of the following equations.

Understanding the Factored Form

In a similar way to the Standard Form, in the Factored Form 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 + 𝑝)(𝑥 + 𝑞) we can identify
the direction of the parabola with the constant 𝑎. Thus, if 𝒂 is positive, then the parabola opens
upwards; if negative, it opens downwards.

We can also tell the stretch of the parabola: if the absolute value of 𝑎 is larger, the parabola stretches
more, meaning that the vertex is farther from the 𝑥-axis (unless the vertex is actually on the 𝑥-axis,

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meaning the 𝑦-coordinate of the vertex is 0, in which case the parabola will stretch with larger
𝑎-values, but the vertex will remain on the 𝑥-axis).

Example 1

𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 𝑘)

The function 𝑓 is defined above. If 𝑘 is a positive integer, which of the following could represent the
graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) in the 𝑥𝑦-plane?

Example 2
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 3)(5𝑥 + 4)

The function 𝑓 is defined above. Which of the following is NOT an 𝑥-intercept of the graph of the
function in the 𝑥𝑦-plane?

A) (−2, 0)
−5
B) ቀ 4 , 0ቁ
−4
C) ቀ 5 , 0ቁ

D) (3, 0)

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Odd and Even Degree Factors
For any polynomial, when a factor 𝑥 − 𝑧 is raised to an odd power, the graph goes through the point
(𝑧, 0). That is, the curve goes from above the 𝑥-axis to below it, or it goes from below the 𝑥-axis
to above it, through the point (𝑧, 0).

When a factor 𝑥 − 𝑧 is raised to an even power, the graph "bounces" off of the 𝑥-axis at the point
(𝑧, 0) instead of passing through. That is, the curve remains above or below the 𝑥-axis on both
sides of that point.

For example, let’s have 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥(𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑥 + 3)3 and its graph:

Example

The graph of the function 𝑓 is shown in the 𝑥𝑦 -plane above, where 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). Which of the
following functions could define 𝑓?

A) 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1)2

B) 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 3)2 (𝑥 + 1)2 (𝑥 − 1)
C) 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)2
D) 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 3)2 (𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑥 + 1)

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Vertex Form: Maximums and Minimums
Another form of quadratic equation is the Vertex Form. The vertex of a parabola is the maximum
or minimum point on the parabola, and the Vertex Form displays the 𝑥- and 𝑦-coordinates of the
vertex as constants in the equation.

For any quadratic of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are constants, the vertex of
the parabola is located at the point (ℎ, 𝑘), and the value of 𝑎 dictates the direction and elongation
of the parabola.

The 𝑥-coordinate, ℎ, is the opposite of the sign shown in the parentheses. In the graphs above,
(𝑥 + 1)2 tells us that the 𝑥-value of the vertex is −1; (𝑥 − 1)2 tells us that the 𝑥-value of the vertex
is 1.

There are some other aspects that are important to be aware of:

▪ The constant term in this form is NOT the 𝑦-intercept, but instead is the 𝑦-value of the
vertex.

▪ The 𝑦-intercept does not appear directly in the Vertex Form, just find it by substituting
𝑥 = 0.

▪ If the parabola opens upward, it has a minimum point, and the range of the function is 𝑦 ≥ 𝑘;
if it opens downward, it has a maximum point, and the range of the function is 𝑦 ≤ 𝑘.

Now, let’s practice. Identify the vertex point, state whether the vertex is a maximum or a minimum,
and find the y-intercept by plugging in 0 for 𝑥.

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Example

𝑦 = 3(𝑥 + 4)2 + 𝑎

In the equation above, a is a constant. The graph of the equation in the 𝑥𝑦-plane is a parabola. Which
of the following is true about the parabola?

A) Its minimum occurs at (−4, 𝑎).

B) Its minimum occurs at (4, 𝑎).
C) Its maximum occurs at (−4, 𝑎).
D) Its maximum occurs at (4, 𝑎).

Number of intersections
The number of real solutions to a system of equations is equal to the number of intersections of the
graphs of the equations in the system. If there are more than two equations in the system (more
than two lines, parabolas, or any other curves), all of the graphs must intersect at a common point
in order for that point to represent a solution to the system because the 𝑥- and 𝑦-values of that
point satisfy all the equations in the system.

Example 1

A system of three equations is graphed in the 𝑥𝑦-plane above. How many solutions does the system
have?
A) None
B) One
C) Two
D) Three

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Example 2

The graph of the function 𝑓, defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = −(𝑥 − 6)2 + 12, is shown in the 𝑥𝑦-plane above.
If the function 𝑔 (not shown) is defined by 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥 + 12, what is one possible value of a such
that 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑔(𝑎)?

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SAT Format: Question Types

These are the type of questions that will be tested:

1 2

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 16

The graph of the equation above in the 𝑥𝑦-plane is a

parabola. Which of the following equivalent forms
of the equation includes the 𝑥- and 𝑦-coordinates of
the vertex as constants?

A) 𝑦 = 𝑥(𝑥 + 4) + 16
B) 𝑦 − 16 = 𝑥(𝑥 + 4)
The functions 𝑓 and 𝑔, defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = 9𝑥 2 − 1
C) 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 2)2 + 12
and 𝑔(𝑥) = −9𝑥 2 + 1, are graphed in the 𝑥𝑦-plane
D) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4(𝑥 + 3)
above. The graphs of 𝑓 and g intersect at the points
(𝑘, 0) and (−𝑘, 0). What is the value of 𝑘?
A) 3
B) 1
1
C)
3
1
D)
9

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