L3

- 1.3 Max or Min of a Quadratic Function

MCR3U
Jensen


Part 1: Quadratics Review

Vertex Form:

𝒚 = 𝒂(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + 𝒌














Factored Form:

𝒚 = 𝒂(𝒙 − 𝒓)(𝒙 − 𝒔)























Standard Form:

𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄















Part 2: Perfect Square Trinomials

Completing the square is a process for changing a standard form quadratic equation into vertex form

𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 " + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 à 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)" + 𝑘

"
Notice that vertex form contains a (𝑥 − ℎ) . A binomial squared can be obtained when factoring a perfect
square trinomial:

𝑎" + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 " = (𝑎 + 𝑏)"
𝑎" − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 " = (𝑎 − 𝑏)"

The process of completing the square involves creating this perfect square trinomial within the standard
form equation so that it can be factored to create the vertex form equation.

Let’s start by analyzing the following perfect square trinomials. Specifically notice how the middle term is
2 times the product of the square roots of the first and last terms.

𝑥 " + 10𝑥 + 25 𝑥 " − 12𝑥 + 36














Example 1: Determine the value of 𝑘 that would make each quadratic a perfect square trinomial. Then
factor the trinomial.

a) 𝑥 " + 14𝑥 + 𝑘 b) 𝑥 " − 24𝑥 + 𝑘
Tip: You can calculate

the constant term that

makes the quadratic a

PST by squaring half

of the coefficient of

the 𝑥 term.


Note: this only works when the
coefficient of 𝑥 ! is 1.





Part 3: Completing the Square




Completing the Square Steps

𝑎𝑥 " + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 → 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)" + 𝑘

1) Put brackets around the first 2 terms
2) Factor out the constant in front of the 𝑥 " term
3) Look at the last term in the brackets, divide it by 2 and then
square it
4) Add AND subtract that term behind the last term in the
brackets
5) Move the negative term outside the brackets by multiplying
it by the ′𝑎′ value
6) Simplify the terms outside the brackets
7) Factor the perfect square trinomial
𝑎" + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 " = (𝑎 + 𝑏)"













Example 2: Rewrite each quadratic in vertex form by completing the square. Then state the vertex,
whether it is a max or min point, and the axis of symmetry.

a) 𝑦 = 𝑥 " + 8𝑥 + 5 b) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 " − 12𝑥 + 11














"
c) 𝑦 = −3𝑥 " + 9𝑥 − 13 d) 𝑦 = − # 𝑥 " + 8𝑥 + 5



















Part 4: Partial Factoring (another method to find the vertex)

Partial Factoring Steps


1) Set the quadratic equal to the 𝑦-intercept
2) Solve the equation for 𝑥
3) Find the x-value of the vertex by averaging your (a, y-int) (b, y-int)
answers from the previous step
4) Substitute the 𝑥-value of the vertex into the original
equation and solve for 𝑦-value
(
a + b , f(a + b )
2 2 )

Example 3: Use partial factoring to find the vertex. Then state if it is a max or min.

a) 𝑦 = 𝑥 " + 2𝑥 − 6















b) 𝑦 = 4𝑥 " − 12𝑥 + 3















c) 𝑦 = −3𝑥 " + 9𝑥 − 2
















Example 4: Maximizing Revenue

Rachel and Ken are knitting scarves to sell at the craft show. They were planning to sell the scarves for
$10 each, the same as last year when they sold 40 scarves. However, they know that if they adjust the
price, they might be able to make mor profit. They have been told that for every 50-cent increase in the
price, they can expect to sell four fewer scarves. What selling price will maximize their revenue and what
will the revenue be?