The Graph of A Quadratic Function

 THE GRAPH OF A QUADRATIC
FUNCTION
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS
A quadratic function is a function of the form
f(x) = ax 2 + bx + c
where a, b & c are real numbers and a  0
The domain of a quadratic function is all real

numbers.
GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
As we’ve already seen, f(x) = x2 graphs into a
PARABOLA.
This is the simplest quadratic function we can
think of. We will use this one as a model by
which to compare all other quadratic
functions we will examine.
VERTEX OF A PARABOLA
All parabolas have a VERTEX, the lowest or

highest point on the graph (depending upon
whether it opens up or down.)
AXIS OF SYMMETRY
All parabolas have an AXIS OF

SYMMETRY, an imaginary line which goes
through the vertex and about which the
parabola is symmetric.
HOW PARABOLAS DIFFER
Some parabolas open up and some open

down.
Parabolas will all have a different vertex and
a different axis of symmetry.
Some parabolas will be wide and some will be
narrow.
Example y = (x - 3)2 - 4
Axis of Symmetry
Y-intercept x y
6 5
Roots
5 0
or x 4 -3
intercepts
3 -4
Vertex 2 -3
1 0
0 5
Direction of the Parabola
If the coefficient If the coefficient of

of x2 is positive x2 is negative the
the parabola will parabola will
open up. open down.
 
GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
The general form of a quadratic function is:
f(x) = ax2 + bx + c
The position, width, and orientation of a
particular parabola will depend upon the
values of a, b, and c.
GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
Compare f(x) = x2 to the following:
f(x) = 2x2 f(x) = .5x2 f(x) = -.5x2
If a > 0, then the parabola opens up
If a < 0, then the parabola opens down
GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
Now compare f(x) = x2 to the following:
f(x) = x 2 + 3 f(x) = x 2 - 2
Vertical shift up Vertical shift down

GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
Now compare f(x) = x2 to the following:
f(x) = (x + 2)2 f(x) = (x – 3)2
Horizontal shift to the Horizontal shift to the

left right
GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
When the general form of a quadratic function
f(x) = ax2 + bx + c is changed to the vertex form:
f(x) = a(x - h) 2 + k
We can tell by horizontal and vertical shifting of
the parabola where the vertex will be.
The parabola will be shifted h units horizontally
and k units vertically.
GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
Thus, a quadratic function written in the form
f(x) = a(x - h) 2 + k
will have a vertex at the point (h,k).
The value of “a” will determine whether the
parabola opens up or down (positive or negative)
and whether the parabola is narrow or wide.
GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
f(x) = a(x - h) 2 + k
Vertex (highest or lowest point): (h,k)
If a > 0, then the parabola opens up
If a < 0, then the parabola opens down
GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
Axis of Symmetry
The vertical line about which the graph of a
quadratic function is symmetric.
x=h
where h is the x-coordinate of the vertex.
GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
So, if we want to examine the characteristics
of the graph of a quadratic function, our job
is to transform the general form:
f(x) = ax2 + bx + c
into the vertex form:
f(x) = a(x – h)2 + k
GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
This will require to process of completing the

square which is a little different than
completing the square to solve a quadratic
equation.
Remember about Perfect Square Trinomials
Factor x2 + 6x + 9 (x + 3)(x + 3) or (x + 3)2
Perfect Square The factors are in the form

Trinomial (x + a)2 or (x - a)2.
Note the relationship between the middle term and the last term.
The last term is one-half the middle term squared.
2
1
  6
2  = 32
=9
Find the value of the last term that will make the following
perfect square trinomials.
49
x2 + 14x + _______ (x + 7)2
49 2
x  7 
x2 + 7x + _______
4  2 
9 2
x  3 
x2 - 3x + _______
4  2 
Changing from Standard Form to Vertex Form
Write y = x2 + 10x + 23 in the form y = a(x - h)2 + k. Sketch the graph.
y = ( x2 + 10x ) + 23 1. Bracket the first two terms.
y = (x2 + 10x + ____
25 - ____)
25 + 23
2. Add a value within the
y = (x + 10x + 25) - 25 + 23
2
brackets to make a perfect
y = (x + 5)2 - 2 square trinomial. Whatever
you add must be subtracted
to keep the value of the
function the same.
3. Group the perfect square

trinomial.
(-5, -2) 4. Factor the trinomial and

simplify.
Changing from Standard Form to Vertex Form
Write y = 2x2 - 12x -11 in the form y = a(x - h)2 + k. Sketch the graph.
y =( 2x2 - 12x ) - 11 1. Bracket the first two terms.
y = 2(x2 - 6x) - 11 2. Factor out the coefficient

y = 2(x2 - 6x + ____
9 - ____)
9 - 11 of the x2- term.
y = 2(x2 - 6x + 9) - 18 - 112  9  18 3. Add a value within the

brackets to make a perfect
y = 2(x - 3)2 - 29 square trinomial. Whatever
Multiply, when you remove you add must be subtracted
this term from the brackets. to keep the value of the
function the same.
4. Group the perfect square

trinomial. When grouping
the trinomial, remember to
distribute the coefficient.
(3, -29) 5. Factor the trinomial and

simplify.
Completing the Square
y = -3x2 + 5x - 1
y = (-3x2 + 5x ) - 1
5
y = -3(x - 3 x) - 1
2
25 25
5
y = -3(x - x + ______
2 36 - ______
36 )-1
3
5 25 75
y = -3(x - x + 36 ) 36 - 1
2 
3
5 2 25
y = -3(x - ) + -1
6 12
5 2 25 12 5 13
y = -3(x - ) +  Vertex is ,
6 12 12 6 12
5 2 13
y = -3(x - ) +
6 12
Completing the Square - The General Case
Using the general form, y = ax2 + bx + c,
complete the square:
y = ax2 + bx + c b 2 4ac  b 2
y  a( x  ) 
y = (ax2 + bx ) + c 2a 4a
2b
y  a(x  x)  c
a The vertex is
2 b b2 b2
y  a(x  x  2  2 )  c b 4ac  b2
a 4a 4a ( , ).
b b 2
b 2 2a 4a
y  a(x 2  x  2 )  a( 2 )  c
a 4a 4a
This IS the vertex BUT it is
easier just to remember that
b 2 b2 the x-value is  b and then
y  a( x  )  c  2a
2a 4a plug that in to the equation to
get the y-value for the vertex.
Using the Vertex Formula
Find the vertex and the maximum or minimum value of
f(x) = -4x2 - 12x + 5
b b 
using the axis of symmetry, the vertex is  , f ( )
 2a 2a 
Find the x-value of the vertex: Find the y-value of the vertex:
b b
x y f( )
2a
2a 2
(12)  3  3  3
x y  f    4    12  5
2(4)
2 2 2
3
x
2 Therefore there is a maximum of
The vertex is 3
y = 14, when x = .
3 ,14. 2
 2 
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
GRAPH OF A QUADRATIC
FUNCTION
f(x) = ax2 + bx + c
 -b  - b  -b
VERTEX  , f   A XIS O F S YMMETRY: x 
2a  2 a  2a
Parabola opens up and has a

minimum value if a > 0.
Parabola opens down and has a
maximum value if a < 0.
EXAMPLE
Determine without graphing whether the
given quadratic function has a maximum or
minimum value and then find the value.
Verify by graphing.
f(x) = 4x2 - 8x + 3 g(x) = -2x2 + 8x + 3

THE X AND Y INTERCEPTS OF A
QUADRATIC FUNCTION
1. Find the x-intercepts by setting the quadratic function equal to
zero and solve by whatever method is easiest.
2. If the discriminant b2 – 4ac > 0, the graph of f(x) =
ax2+ bx + c has two distinct x-intercepts and will cross
the x-axis twice.
3. If the discriminant b2 – 4ac = 0, the graph of f(x) = ax2 + bx + c has
one x-intercept and touches the x-axis at its vertex.
4. If the discriminant b2 – 4ac < 0, the graph of f(x) = ax2 + bx + c has
no x-intercept and will not cross or touch the x-axis.
5. Find the y-intercept by substituting x=0 into function.
GRAPHING QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
Graph the functions below by hand by
determining whether its graph opens up or
down and by finding its vertex, axis of
symmetry, y-intercept, and x-intercepts, if
any. Verify your results using a graphing
calculator.
f(x) = 2x2 - 3 g(x) = x2 - 6x - 1
h(x) = 3x2 + 6x k(x) = -2x2 + 6x + 2

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 THE GRAPH OF A QUADRATIC

where a, b & c are real numbers and a  0

The domain of a quadratic function is all real

All parabolas have a VERTEX, the lowest or

All parabolas have an AXIS OF

Some parabolas open up and some open

If the coefficient If the coefficient of

Vertical shift up Vertical shift down

Horizontal shift to the Horizontal shift to the

This will require to process of completing the

Perfect Square The factors are in the form

3. Group the perfect square

(-5, -2) 4. Factor the trinomial and

y =( 2x2 - 12x ) - 11 1. Bracket the first two terms.

y = 2(x2 - 6x) - 11 2. Factor out the coefficient

y = 2(x2 - 6x + 9) - 18 - 112  9  18 3. Add a value within the

4. Group the perfect square

(3, -29) 5. Factor the trinomial and

Parabola opens up and has a

f(x) = 4x2 - 8x + 3 g(x) = -2x2 + 8x + 3

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