1

Quadratic
Functions
a2 + bx + c

f(x) = a(x-h)2 + k
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The Characteristics of a Quadratic

Function
A quadratic function has many different characteristics that you
can find by just looking at the graph. Here is a following example:
−1 −1 2
f ( x )= ( x−2 )2 −1 f ( x )= x +2 x −3
2 2

Direction of Parabola: The parabola shown to the left for this equation opens downward. This is
because the a value in this equation is a negative.

1
Transformations: Right two units, down one unit. Dilated by a scale factor of .
2
Minimum or Maximum: The parabola has a maximum of -1 at x=2 since the a value is negative and
the highest point on the graph is (2,-1)
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−1 2 −b −2
x + 2 x−3 → → =2
Vertex and Axis of Symmetry: 2 2a
2 ( )
−1
2
Axis of Symmetry = 2. Now

−1 2
you plug AOS into x and solve. ( 2 ) + 2 ( 2 ) −3=−1 y-value of vertex is -1. The vertex of the parabola
2
is (2,-1) and the equation for the axis of symmetry is x=2

The Characteristics of a Quadratic

Function (cont.)
Y-Intercept: In order to find the y-intercept, you can either look at the c value in the standard form
equation or you can plug 0 into x in the vertex-form equation and solve.
−1 1
f ( 0 )= ( 0−2 )2−1→− ( 4 )−1=−2−1=−3 The y-intercept for this function is (0,-3).
2 2
Roots/Zeros/X-Intercepts/Solutions: The solutions for this quadratic are none because there are no
roots, zeros, x-intercepts. If you take a look at the graph above, you will see that there are no points that
lie on the x-axis. Therefore, there are no solutions.

Additional Points: To find additional points on a graph, you plug in your x-value that you know the
−1 1
point is on and solve for f(x). For example: f ( x )= ( 4−2 )2−1→− ( 4 )−1=−2−1=−3
2 2
So now, we know that Point A is (4,-3). You can find the point across the AOS by using symmetry. Other
−1 1
points: f ( x )= ( 6−2 )2−1 →− ( 16 ) −1=−8−1=−9 Point B = (6,-9)
2 2
−1 1
f ( x )= ( 8−2 )2−1 →− ( 36 ) −1=−18−1=−19 Point C = (8,-19)
2 2

How to Solve a Quadratic Equation

What does it mean to solve a quadratic equation?
What it means to solve a quadratic equation is that you make it so the equation is equal to 0. By solving
the quadratic equation, you are finding the roots/zeros of the function.

Are there different types of ways to solve?

Yes, the most common ones are solving by factoring and by completing the square. In order to solve by
factoring, you will need to start off with a quadratic equation in standard form ( a x 2 +bx+ c ) Once you
have that, you will need to find two numbers that will add up to b and multiply to c. If a > 1, multiply a
with c, then factor. After you find that, you replace b with the two numbers with the variable. Now you
just solve for x in both parentheses. This only works if you are able to factor the equation. If you
can’t, look at the next way to solve.

Here is an example:

24

x
 4

2
4 x −14 x+ 6 6∗4=24 4 x−2=0 x−3=0

4 x2 −12 x−2 x +6 4 x=23−3=0

1
(4 x 2−12 x )¿ ) =x 3=x
2
4 x ( x−3 ) −2¿ )
( 4 x−2 ) ¿ )

How to solve by completing the square?

In order to solve by completing the square, you would need to, again, start off with a quadratic equation in
standard form. After you have this, you need to know the formula for completing the square: (

( ) ( ( ))
2
2 b 2 b
a x +bx+ = x− . Once you have this down, make your quadratic equation equal to zero. Then,
2 2
add or subtract c by both sides, depending if c is a positive or a negative. When you have this, you then
find the number that completes the square on the left side of the equation. After you have done this, add
the term to both sides. Then, factor the left side of the equation and add the two terms on the right side of
the equation. After you factor, remove the exponent on the left side of the equation. In order to do this,
you have to square root both sides of the equation. Make sure the right side after square rooting
has a “±” sign because there are two possibilities one some equations. Lastly, solve for x.

Here is an example:

2 1
−x 2+ x−
3 9

Make the equation = 0 ▸ 2 2 1

−x + x− =0
3 9
Add -1/9 to both sides ▸
2 1
−x 2+ x=
3 9
Use the formula to find c ▸ 2 1 1
−x 2+ x− =
3 9 9
Factor left side of equation ▸

Add like terms in right side▸

( )
− x−
1 2 1 1
3
= −
9 9

√−( x− ) =√ 0
2
1
Square root both sides ▸
3
Solve for x ▸ 1
x− =0
3
1 1
x= ; ( , 0)
3 3
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How Quadratics are used in the Real

World
Quadratics can be used to figure out the minimum or maximum
value of something like the maximum area for a building. The
following problem will be an example on how quadratics can be
used in the real world.

Example Word Problem

You and your family move out into the forest and build a house.
After you’re done building, you start building the backyard, you
have 200 feet of fencing and one side is blocked off because your
house is there. What is the perimeter and the area of the
backyard? Find the maximum amount so you can have as much
space as possible.
l

Solution
1. 200=2 l+w 0+ 100 Steps:
6. =50
2 1. Write out the equation
7. A (50)=50(200−2(50)) 2. Write an expression for the
width in terms of l
8. A ( 50 )=50 ( 200−100 ) 3. Keep note of the area equation
4. Plug in values
9. A ( 50 )=50 ( 100 ) 5. Use zero product property and
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2. w=200−2 l
3. A=l∗w
4. A=l ( 200−2l )
5. l=0 200−2l=0
−200−200 50 ft
−2l −200
=
−2 −2
l=100 100 ft
A=5000 f t 2

50 ft