TEKS

4.2
2A.4.B, 2A.7.A,
Graph Quadratic Functions
in Vertex or Intercept Form
2A.7.B, 2A.8.A

Before You graphed quadratic functions in standard form.

Now You will graph quadratic functions in vertex form or intercept form.
Why? So you can find the height of a jump, as in Ex. 51.

Key Vocabulary In Lesson 4.1, you learned that the standard form of a quadratic function is
• vertex form y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c where a Þ 0. Another useful form of a quadratic function
• intercept form is the vertex form, y 5 a(x 2 h)2 1 k.

KEY CONCEPT For Your Notebook

Graph of Vertex Form y 5 a(x 2 h)2 1 k
The graph of y 5 a(x 2 h)2 1 k is the y
parabola y 5 ax2 translated horizontally
h units and vertically k units.
Characteristics of the graph of y 5 a(x 2 h) 2 1 k
y 5 a(x 2 h)2 1 k: y 5 ax 2 (h, k)
k
• The vertex is (h, k).
(0, 0) h x
• The axis of symmetry is x 5 h.
• The graph opens up if a > 0 and down if a < 0.

EXAMPLE 1 Graph a quadratic function in vertex form

1 (x 1 2)2 1 5.
Graph y 5 2}
4
Solution
1 , h 5 22, and y
STEP 1 Identify the constants a 5 2} vertex
4
k 5 5. Because a < 0, the parabola opens down. (22, 5)

STEP 2 Plot the vertex (h, k) 5 (22, 5) and draw the axis of
axis of symmetry x 5 22. symmetry
1
x 5 22
STEP 3 Evaluate the function for two values of x. 1 x

1 (0 1 2)2 1 5 5 4
x 5 0: y 5 2}
4 y
(22, 5)
1 (2 1 2)2 1 5 5 1
x 5 2: y 5 2}
4
Plot the points (0, 4) and (2, 1) and their 2
reflections in the axis of symmetry. x
1
STEP 4 Draw a parabola through the plotted points.

4.2 Graph Quadratic Functions in Vertex or Intercept Form 245

 EXAMPLE 2 Use a quadratic model in vertex form
CIVIL ENGINEERING The Tacoma Y
Narrows Bridge in Washington has
two towers that each rise 307 feet
above the roadway and are connected
by suspension cables as shown. Each FT FT
cable can be modeled by the function
1 (x 2 1400)2 1 27
y5} X
7000
where x and y are measured in feet. D
What is the distance d between the
two towers?
.OTDRAWNTOSCALE
Solution
The vertex of the parabola is (1400, 27). So, a cable’s lowest point is 1400 feet from
the left tower shown above. Because the heights of the two towers are the same,
the symmetry of the parabola implies that the vertex is also 1400 feet from the
right tower. So, the distance between the two towers is d 5 2(1400) 5 2800 feet.

✓ GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 1 and 2

Graph the function. Label the vertex and axis of symmetry.

1. y 5 (x 1 2)2 2 3 2. y 5 2(x 2 1)2 1 5 1 (x 2 3)2 2 4

3. f (x) 5 }
2

4. WHAT IF? Suppose an architect designs a bridge with cables that can be
modeled by y 5 }1 (x 2 1400)2 1 27 where x and y are measured in feet.
6500
Compare this function’s graph to the graph of the function in Example 2.

INTERCEPT FORM If the graph of a quadratic function has at least one x-intercept,
then the function can be represented in intercept form, y 5 a(x 2 p)(x 2 q).

KEY CONCEPT For Your Notebook

Graph of Intercept Form y 5 a(x 2 p)(x 2 q)
Characteristics of the graph of y 5 a(x 2 p)(x 2 q):
• The x-intercepts are p and q. y
p1q
• The axis of symmetry is halfway x5 2
between (p, 0) and (q, 0). It has
p1q
equation x 5 }. y 5 a(x 2 p)(x 2 q)
2
• The graph opens up if a > 0 and
(q, 0) x
opens down if a < 0.
(p, 0)

246 Chapter 4 Quadratic Functions and Factoring

 EXAMPLE 3 Graph a quadratic function in intercept form
Graph y 5 2(x 1 3)(x 2 1).

Solution
AVOID ERRORS
STEP 1 Identify the x-intercepts. Because p 5 23 y
Remember that the
and q 5 1, the x-intercepts occur at the
x-intercepts for a 1
points (23, 0) and (1, 0).
quadratic function (23, 0) 21 (1, 0) x
written in the form STEP 2 Find the coordinates of the vertex.
y 5 a(x 2 p)(x 2 q) are
p1q
23 1 1 5 21
p and q, not 2p and 2q. x5}5}
2 2
y 5 2(21 1 3)(21 2 1) 5 28
So, the vertex is (21, 28).
(21, 28)
STEP 3 Draw a parabola through the vertex and
the points where the x-intercepts occur.
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EXAMPLE 4 Use a quadratic function in intercept form

FOOTBALL The path of a placekicked football can
be modeled by the function y 5 20.026x(x 2 46)
where x is the horizontal distance (in yards) and
y is the corresponding height (in yards).
a. How far is the football kicked?
b. What is the football’s maximum height?

Solution
a. Rewrite the function as y 5 20.026(x 2 0)(x 2 46). Because p 5 0 and
q 5 46, you know the x-intercepts are 0 and 46. So, you can conclude
that the football is kicked a distance of 46 yards.
b. To find the football’s maximum height, calculate the coordinates of
the vertex.
p1q
0 1 46 5 23
x5}5}
2 2
y 5 20.026(23)(23 2 46) ø 13.8
The maximum height is the y-coordinate of the vertex, or about
13.8 yards.

✓ GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 3 and 4

Graph the function. Label the vertex, axis of symmetry, and x-intercepts.
5. y 5 (x 2 3)(x 2 7) 6. f (x) 5 2(x 2 4)(x 1 1) 7. y 5 2(x 1 1)(x 2 5)

8. WHAT IF? In Example 4, what is the maximum height of the football if the
football’s path can be modeled by the function y 5 20.025x(x 2 50)?

4.2 Graph Quadratic Functions in Vertex or Intercept Form 247

 FOIL METHOD You can change quadratic functions from intercept form or vertex
form to standard form by multiplying algebraic expressions. One method for
multiplying two expressions each containing two terms is FOIL.

KEY CONCEPT For Your Notebook

FOIL Method
Words To multiply two expressions that each contain two terms, add the
products of the First terms, the Outer terms, the Inner terms, and
the Last terms.
Example F O I L
(x 1 4)(x 1 7) 5 x 1 7x 1 4x 1 28 5 x2 1 11x 1 28
2

EXAMPLE 5 Change from intercept form to standard form

REVIEW FOIL Write y 5 22(x 1 5)(x 2 8) in standard form.
For help with using
y 5 22(x 1 5)(x 2 8) Write original function.
the FOIL method, see
2
p. 985. 5 22(x 2 8x 1 5x 2 40) Multiply using FOIL.
2
5 22(x 2 3x 2 40) Combine like terms.

5 22x2 1 6x 1 80 Distributive property

EXAMPLE 6 Change from vertex form to standard form

Write f(x) 5 4(x 2 1)2 1 9 in standard form.
f (x) 5 4(x 2 1)2 1 9 Write original function.

5 4(x 2 1)(x 2 1) 1 9 Rewrite (x 2 1) 2 .

5 4(x2 2 x 2 x 1 1) 1 9 Multiply using FOIL.

5 4(x2 2 2x 1 1) 1 9 Combine like terms.

2
5 4x 2 8x 1 4 1 9 Distributive property
2
5 4x 2 8x 1 13 Combine like terms.

✓ GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 5 and 6

Write the quadratic function in standard form.

9. y 5 2(x 2 2)(x 2 7) 10. y 5 24(x 2 1)(x 1 3)
11. f (x) 5 2(x 1 5)(x 1 4) 12. y 5 27(x 2 6)(x 1 1)
13. y 5 23(x 1 5)2 2 1 14. g(x) 5 6(x 2 4)2 2 10
15. f (x) 5 2(x 1 2)2 1 4 16. y 5 2(x 2 3)2 1 9

248 Chapter 4 Quadratic Functions and Factoring

 4.2 EXERCISES HOMEWORK
KEY
5 WORKED-OUT SOLUTIONS
on p. WS1 for Exs. 19, 29, and 53
5 TAKS PRACTICE AND REASONING
Exs. 12, 22, 49, 54, 55, 57, and 58

SKILL PRACTICE
1. VOCABULARY Copy and complete: A quadratic function in the form
y 5 a(x 2 h)2 1 k is in ? form.

2. WRITING Explain how to find a quadratic function’s maximum value or

minimum value when the function is given in intercept form.

EXAMPLE 1 GRAPHING WITH VERTEX FORM Graph the function. Label the vertex and axis of
on p. 245 symmetry.
for Exs. 3–12
3. y 5 (x 2 3)2 4. y 5 (x 1 4)2 5. f (x) 5 2(x 1 3)2 1 5
6. y 5 3(x 2 7)2 2 1 7. g(x) 5 24(x 2 2)2 1 4 8. y 5 2(x 1 1)2 2 3

9. f (x) 5 22(x 2 1)2 2 5 1 (x 1 2)2 1 1

10. y 5 2} 1 (x 2 3)2 1 2
11. y 5 }
4 2

12. TAKS REASONING What is the vertex of the graph of the function
y 5 3(x 1 2)2 2 5?
A (2, 25) B (22, 25) C (25, 2) D (5, 22)

EXAMPLE 3 GRAPHING WITH INTERCEPT FORM Graph the function. Label the vertex, axis of
on p. 247 symmetry, and x-intercepts.
for Exs. 13–23
13. y 5 (x 1 3)(x 2 3) 14. y 5 (x 1 1)(x 2 3) 15. y 5 3(x 1 2)(x 1 6)
16. f (x) 5 2(x 2 5)(x 2 1) 17. y 5 2(x 2 4)(x 1 6) 18. g(x) 5 24(x 1 3)(x 1 7)
19. y 5 (x 1 1)(x 1 2) 20. f(x) 5 22(x 2 3)(x 1 4) 21. y 5 4(x 2 7)(x 1 2)

22. TAKS REASONING What is the vertex of the graph of the function
y 5 2(x 2 6)(x 1 4)?
A (1, 25) B (21, 21) C (26, 4) D (6, 24)

23. ERROR ANALYSIS Describe and correct

the error in analyzing the graph of the The x-intercepts of the graph
function y 5 5(x 2 2)(x 1 3). are 22 and 3.

EXAMPLES WRITING IN STANDARD FORM Write the quadratic function in standard form.
5 and 6
24. y 5 (x 1 4)(x 1 3) 25. y 5 (x 2 5)(x 1 3) 26. h(x) 5 4(x 1 1)(x 2 6)
on p. 248
2
for Exs. 24–32 27. y 5 23(x 2 2)(x 2 4) 28. f(x) 5 (x 1 5) 2 2 29. y 5 (x 2 3)2 1 6
30. g(x) 5 2(x 1 6)2 1 10 31. y 5 5(x 1 3)2 2 4 32. f (x) 5 12(x 2 1)2 1 4

MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM VALUES Find the minimum value or the maximum

value of the function.
33. y 5 3(x 2 3)2 2 4 34. g(x) 5 24(x 1 6)2 2 12 35. y 5 15(x 2 25)2 1 130
36. f (x) 5 3(x 1 10)(x 2 8) 37. y 5 2(x 2 36)(x 1 18) 38. y 5 212x(x 2 9)
39. y 5 8x(x 1 15) 40. y 5 2(x 2 3)(x 2 6) 41. g(x) 5 25(x 1 9)(x 2 4)

4.2 Graph Quadratic Functions in Vertex or Intercept Form 249

 42. GRAPHING CALCULATOR Consider the function y 5 a(x 2 h)2 1 k where
a 5 1, h 5 3, and k 5 22. Predict the effect of each change in a, h, or k
described in parts (a)–(c). Use a graphing calculator to check your prediction
by graphing the original and revised functions in the same coordinate plane.
a. a changes to 23 b. h changes to 21 c. k changes to 2

MAKING A GRAPH Graph the function. Label the vertex and axis of symmetry.

43. y 5 5(x 2 2.25)2 2 2.75 44. g(x) 5 28(x 1 3.2)2 1 6.4 45. y 5 20.25(x 2 5.2)2 1 8.5

2 x2 1 2 4 3 (x 1 5)(x 1 8) 5 x2 4 x2 2
46. y 5 2} 1} 2 1} 47. f(x) 5 2} 48. g(x) 5 } } 1 } 21 2
3 2 5 4 2 3 5

49. TAKS REASONING Write two different quadratic functions in intercept

form whose graphs have axis of symmetry x 5 3.

50. CHALLENGE Write y 5 a(x 2 h)2 1 k and y 5 a(x 2 p)(x 2 q) in standard

b,
form. Knowing the vertex of the graph of y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c occurs at x 5 2}
2a
show that the vertex of the graph of y 5 a(x 2 h)2 1 k occurs at x 5 h and that
p1q
the vertex of the graph of y 5 a(x 2 p)(x 2 q) occurs at x 5 }.
2

PROBLEM SOLVING
EXAMPLES 51. BIOLOGY The function y 5 20.03(x 2 14)2 1 6 models the jump of a
2 and 4 red kangaroo where x is the horizontal distance (in feet) and y is the
on pp. 246–247 corresponding height (in feet). What is the kangaroo’s maximum height?
for Exs. 51–54 How long is the kangaroo’s jump?

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52. CIVIL ENGINEERING The arch of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge forms a
parabola with equation y 5 20.016(x 2 52.5)2 1 45 where x is the horizontal
distance (in meters) from the arch’s left end and y is the distance (in meters)
from the base of the arch. What is the width of the arch?
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53. MULTI-STEP PROBLEM Although a football field appears to be flat, its

surface is actually shaped like a parabola so that rain runs off to both
sides. The cross section of a field with synthetic turf can be modeled by
y 5 20.000234x(x 2 160) y
surface of
where x and y are measured in feet. football field

a. What is the field’s width?

Not drawn to scale x
b. What is the maximum height of the field’s surface?

5 WORKED-OUT SOLUTIONS 5 TAKS PRACTICE

250 on p. WS1 AND REASONING
 54. TAKS REASONING A jump on a pogo y
40

Vertical position (in.)

stick with a conventional spring can be bow
modeled by y 5 20.5(x 2 6)2 1 18, and a 30
spring
jump on a pogo stick with a bow spring can
be modeled by y 5 21.17(x 2 6)2 1 42, where 20
x and y are measured in inches. Compare
the maximum heights of the jumps on the 10
conventional
two pogo sticks. Which constants in the spring
0
functions affect the maximum heights of 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 x
the jumps? Which do not? Horizontal position (in.)

55. EXTAKS REASONING A kernel of popcorn contains water that expands

when the kernel is heated, causing it to pop. The equations below give
the “popping volume” y (in cubic centimeters per gram) of popcorn with
moisture content x (as a percent of the popcorn’s weight).
Hot-air popping: y 5 20.761(x 2 5.52)(x 2 22.6)
Hot-oil popping: y 5 20.652(x 2 5.35)(x 2 21.8)
a. Interpret For hot-air popping, what moisture content maximizes popping
volume? What is the maximum volume?
b. Interpret For hot-oil popping, what moisture content maximizes popping
volume? What is the maximum volume?
c. Graphing Calculator Graph the functions in the same coordinate plane.
What are the domain and range of each function in this situation? Explain
how you determined the domain and range.

56. CHALLENGE Flying fish use their pectoral fins like airplane
wings to glide through the air. Suppose a flying fish
reaches a maximum height of 5 feet after flying a
horizontal distance of 33 feet. Write a quadratic
function y 5 a(x 2 h)2 1 k that models the flight
path, assuming the fish leaves the water at (0, 0).
Describe how changing the value of a, h, or k
affects the flight path.

TAKS PRACTICE at classzone.com

M IXED R EVIEW FOR TAKS
REVIEW 57. TAKS PRACTICE A salesperson wants to analyze the time he spends
Lesson 1.5; driving to visit clients. In a typical week, the salesperson drives 870 miles
TAKS Workbook during a period of 22 hours. His average speed is 65 miles per hour on the
highway and 30 miles per hour in the city. About how many hours a week
does the salesperson spend driving in the city? TAKS Obj. 10
A 6h B 8.2 h C 13.9 h D 16 h

REVIEW 58. TAKS PRACTICE What is the approximate

TAKS Preparation area of the shaded region? TAKS Obj. 8
p. 470;
F 21.5 cm 2 5 cm
TAKS Workbook
G 42.9 cm 2 5 cm

H 121.4 cm 2
J 150 cm 2

EXTRA PRACTICE for Lesson 4.2, p. 1013 ONLINE QUIZ at classzone.com 251