Lesson 7.

2 – Equivalent Quadratic Forms

We have dealt with quadratic equations many times before, but today we were introduced to
the three different forms of quadratic equations:

Vertex Form: 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘

𝑥+1 2
To start our day of awesomeness, we were given the equation 𝑦 = −12 + 27…
2

Based on our prior knowledge, we know that it is a quadratic equation, and it therefore is a
parabola. We graphed the parabola, which looks like this:
The vertex of the parabola is (-1, 27). We can tell this by looking at the graph, but we can also
tell by looking at the equation we were given, because it is in vertex form…

𝑥+𝟏 2
𝑦 = −12 2 + 𝟐𝟕 — The two numbers highlighted in red give us the vertex of (-1, 27)
(Remember, the x + 1 means that the parabola is shifting left, not right, and therefore gives us
an x-coordinate of -1).

The other two forms of quadratic equations will give us different information about the
parabola. So, let’s try converting the equation into standard form!

𝑥+1 2
Step 1: 𝑦 = −12 + 27 — First, let’s rewrite the equation without the square symbol.
2
𝑥+1 𝑥+1
Step 2: 𝑦 = −12 + 27 — Now, let’s multiply the two sets of parentheses together.
2 2
The part in red (the two x + 1’s) can be dealt with by distributing, or FOILing. The part in blue
(the two 2’s) simply needs to be multiplied together.
𝑥 2 +2𝑥+1
Step 3: 𝑦 = −12 + 27 — Before we do anything else, let’s make the process easier
4
by simplifying the -12 to -3 and the 4 to 1.
Step 4: 𝑦 = −3 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 + 27 — Now we can multiply the -3 by each of the terms in blue.
Step 5: 𝑦 = −3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 3 + 27 — The terms in red are like terms, so we can combine them.
Step 6: 𝑦 = −3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 24 — Done! The equation is now in standard form!

So, what does a quadratic equation in standard form tell us?...

𝑦 = −3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 𝟐𝟒 — If you look back at the parabola, you will see that the y-intercept is
(0, 24)! This makes sense, because if you take the equation and plug zero in for x, you will be
left with 𝑦 = 24.

We only have one form of quadratic equations left to cover: factored form! So, let’s try
converting out standard form equation into factored form!

Step 1: 𝑦 = −3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 24 — STOP! Before you do ANYTHING ELSE, factor out the GCF!
Step 2: 𝑦 = −3(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 24) — Note that we factored out a negative three, not just a three.
It is always easier to factor when the leading term isn’t negative. Now, let’s factor!
Step 3: 𝑦 = −3 𝑥 + 4 (𝑥 − 2) — Done! The equation is now in factored form!

So, what does a quadratic equation in factored form tell us?...

𝑦 = −3 𝒙 + 𝟒 (𝒙 − 𝟐) —The two expressions in red will give us the x-intercepts (also known
as “roots” and “zeros”). If we plug in a zero for y, and solve the equation using the zero-product
property, we find that 𝑥 = −4 𝑜𝑟 2. And, if you look back at the parabola, you’ll see that our
roots are (-4, 0) and (2, 0). BOOYAH!
So, let’s summarize…

If a quadratic equation is in vertex form, we can easily find the vertex of the parabola.
If a quadratic equation is in standard form, we can easily find the y-intercept of the parabola.
If a quadratic equation is in factored form, we can easily find the roots of the parabola.

Now, let’s do some practice!

Convert the following equations to general form.

1) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 𝑥 − 5
Answer: 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 10𝑥
2) 𝑦 = −5 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 2 − 30
Answer: 𝑦 = −5𝑥 2 − 5𝑥
2 1 2
3) 𝑦 = 3 − 𝑥 − 2
5
Answer: 𝑦 = −𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 12

Problem number three was more difficult than the first two, so Mr. Booth went over it in class:

2 1 2
Step 1: 𝑦 = 3 − 𝑥 − 2 — We’ll start by rewriting the equation without the square symbol.
2 1 1 1
Step 2: 𝑦 = 3 − 𝑥 − 2 𝑥 − 2 — Next, let’s multiply the two 𝑥 − 2 ’s by FOILing!
2 1
Step 3: 𝑦 = 3 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 4 — This is the step where people got confused. It may help just to
2 1
ignore the 3 temporarily, and think of the rest of it as −1 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 4 . That way, you can
1 2
rewrite is as −𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 4 . Now all you have to do is stick the 3 back in front!
2 1
Step 4: 𝑦 = 3 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 4 — The terms highlighted in red are like terms, so let’s combine them!
2 1 8 3 5
(To do 3 − 4 , you would find a common denominator and do 12 − 12 , which gives you 12 .)
5
Step 5: 𝑦 = −𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 12 — Done! Boomshakalaka!

Find the zeros of each quadratic function.

1) 𝑦 = −2 𝑥 − 1 (𝑥 + 6)
Answer: 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − 6
2) 𝑦 = 0.5𝑥(𝑥 − 5)
Answer: 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 5
2
3) 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 7.5)
Answer: 7.5
Example:

Consider this table of values generated by a quadratic function.

x -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0

a) What is the line of symmetry for the graph of the quadratic function?

Recall that the line of symmetry of a parabola will pass through its vertex. Therefore, if we
know the vertex of the parabola, we know its line of symmetry. Without even graphing the
points in the table, we know that the vertex of the parabola is (-1.5, -5). (We know this because
if you take any two points on a parabola that have the same y-value, such as (-3, -0.5) and
(0, -0.5), and you average their x-values, you will get the x-value of the vertex.)

So, the equation for the line of symmetry for this parabola is 𝑥 = −1.5 .

b) Identify the vertex of the graph of this quadratic function, and determine whether it’s a
maximum or a minimum.

We already identified the vertex, which is (-1.5, -5). The only new piece of information here is
that it’s a minimum; this is because it’s the lowest point on the graph.

c) Use the table of values to write the quadratic function in vertex form.

The vertex form of a quadratic equation looks like this: 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘.

Knowing this, we can plug in out vertex for (ℎ, 𝑘), which gives us this: 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 + 1.5)2 − 5.

Lastly, we need to solve for a. This can be done either by plugging in an x and a y and solving for
a, or it can be done by graphing the equation without the a, i.e. 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 1.5)2 − 5, and then
plugging in values for a to stretch the graph until it matches the data in the table.

Either way, your resulting equation will be 𝑦 = 2(𝑥 + 1.5)2 − 5.

And… that’s it! Weehoo!