Name:_______________________________ Period:____

Chapter 8: Quadratic Graphs and Their Attributes (Features)

Graphing quadratic equations in standard form, vertex form, and intercept form.

A. Intro to Graphs of Quadratic Equations:

 A ____________________ is a function that can be written in the form where
a, b, and c are real numbers and a 0. Ex:
 The graph of a quadratic function is a U-shaped curve called a ________________. The
maximum or minimum point is called the _____________
Identify the vertex of each graph; identify whether it is a minimum or a maximum.
1.) 2.)

Vertex: ( , ) _________ Vertex: ( , ) _________

3.) 4.)

Vertex: ( , ) _________ Vertex: ( , ) _________

B. Key Features of a Parabola:

 Direction of Opening: When , the parabola opens ________:

When , the parabola opens ________:

 Width: When , the parabola is _______________ than

When , the parabola is the ________ width as
When , the parabola is ________ than
 Vertex: The highest or lowest point of the parabola is called the vertex, which is on the axis of

symmetry. To find the vertex, plug in and solve for y. This yields a point (____, ____)

 Axis of symmetry: This is a vertical line passing through the vertex. Its equation is:
 x-intercepts: are the 0, 1, or 2 points where the parabola crosses the x-axis. Plug in y = 0 and
solve for x.
 y-intercept: is the point where the parabola crosses the y-axis. Plug in x = 0 and solve for y.

Without graphing the quadratic functions, complete the requested information:

5.)
6.)
What is the direction of opening? _______ What is the direction of opening? _______
Is the vertex a max or min? _______ Is the vertex a max or min? _______
Wider or narrower than y = x2 ? __________ Wider or narrower than y = x2 ? ___________

8.)
7.)

What is the direction of opening? _______ What is the direction of opening? _______
Is the vertex a max or min? _______ Is the vertex a max or min? _______
Wider or narrower than y = x2 ? __________ Wider or narrower than y = x2 ? ___________

The parabola y = x2 is graphed to the right.

Note its vertex (___, ___) and its width.

You will be asked to compare other parabolas to

this graph.

C. Graphing in STANDARD FORM ( ): we need to find the vertex first.

Vertex Graphing
- list a = ____, b = ____, c = ____ - put the vertex you found in the center of
your x-y chart.
- choose 2 x-values less than and 2 x-values more
- find x = than your vertex.
- plug this x-value into the function (table) - plug in these x values to get 4 more points.
- this point (___, ___) is the vertex of the parabola - graph all 5 points

Find the vertex of each parabola. Graph the function and find the requested information
9.) f(x)= -x2 + 2x + 3 a = ____, b = ____, c = ____

Vertex: _______
Max or min? _______
Direction of opening? _______
Axis of symmetry: ________
Compare to the graph of y = x2
 y
10 _________________________
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
x
-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10
10.) h(x) = 2x2 + 4x + 1
y
10
9
8
7
6 Vertex: _______
5
4 Max or min? _______
3
2 Direction of opening? _______
1

-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
x Axis of symmetry: ________
-1
-2 Compare to the graph of y = x2
-3
-4 _________________________
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10

11.) k(x) = 2 – x – x2
y
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
Vertex: _______
3
2
Max or min? _______
1
x
Direction of opening? _______
-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-1
-2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Axis of symmetry: ________
-3
-4
Compare to the graph of y = x2
-5
-6
_________________________
-7
-8
-9
-10

12.) State whether the function y = 3x2 + 12x  6 has a minimum value or a maximum
value. Then find the minimum or maximum value.

13.) Find the vertex of . State whether it is a minimum or maximum. Find that
minimum or maximum value.
Another useful form of the quadratic function is the vertex form: ________________________________.

GRAPH OF VERTEX FORM y = a(x  h)2 + k

The graph of y = a(x  h)2 + k is the parabola y = ax2 translated ___________ h units and ___________ k units.
 The vertex is (___, ___).
 The axis of symmetry is x = ___.
 The graph opens up if a ___ 0 and down if a ___ 0.

Find the vertex of each parabola and graph.

14.)
y
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
x
-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
Vertex: _______
-8
-9
-10

15.)
y
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
x
-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
Vertex: _______
-9
-10

16.) Write a quadratic function in vertex form for the function whose graph has its vertex
at (-5, 4) and passes through the point (7, 1).
GRAPH OF INTERCEPT FORM y = a(x  p)(x  q):
Characteristics of the graph y = a(x  p)(x  q):
 The x-intercepts are ___ and ___.

 The axis of symmetry is halfway between (___, 0) and ( ___ , 0)

and it has equation x =

 The graph opens up if a ___ 0 and opens down if a ___ 0.

17.) Graph y = 2(x  1)(x  5) y

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
x
-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7

x-intercepts: _______, _______

-8
-9
-10

Vertex: _______

Converting between forms:

From intercept form to standard form
Ex:
 Use FOIL to multiply the binomials
together
 Distribute the coefficient to all 3 terms

From vertex form to standard form

 Re-write the squared term as the Ex:
product of two binomials
 Use FOIL to multiply the binomials
together
 Distribute the coefficient to all 3 terms
 Add constant at the end

Write Quadratic Functions and Models

A. When given the vertex and a point

 Plug the vertex in for (h, k) in
 Plug in the given point for (x, y)
  Solve for a. Plug in a, h, k into
18.) Write a quadratic equation in vertex form
for the parabola shown.

19.) Write a quadratic function in vertex form for the function whose graph has its vertex at (2, 1) and
passes through the point (4, 5).

B. When given the x-intercepts and a third point

 Plug in the x-intercepts as p and q into y = a(x  p)(x  q)
 Plug in the given point for (x, y)
 Solve for a. Plug in a, h, k into y = a(x  p)(x  q)

20.) Write a quadratic function in intercept form

for the parabola shown.

B. When given three points on the parabola

 Label all three points as (x, y)
 Separately, plug in each point into
 You now have 3 equations with three variables: a, b, c
 Solve for a, b, and c using elimination. Plug back into

21.) Write a quadratic function in standard form for the parabola that passes
through the points (2, 6), (0, 6) and (2, 2).
22.) Write a quadratic function in standard form for the parabola that passes
through the points (1, 2), (1, 4) and (2, 1).

To graph a quadratic function, you must FIRST find the vertex (h, k)!!

(A) If the function starts in standard form :

1st: The x-coordinate of the vertex, h, =

2nd: Find the y-coordinate of the vertex, k, by plugging the x-coordinate into the function &
solving for y.

(B) If the function starts in intercept form :

1st: Find the x-intercepts by setting the factors with x equal to 0 & solving for x.
2nd: The x-coordinate of the vertex is half way between the x-intercepts.
3rd: Find the y-coordinate of the vertex, k, by plugging the x-coordinate into the function &
solving for y.

(C) If the function starts in vertex form :

1st: pick out the x-coordinate of the vertex, h. REMEMBER: h will have the OPPOSITE sign
as what is in the parenthesis!!
2nd: Pick out the y-coordinate of the vertex, k. It will have the SAME sign as the what is in the
equation!

AFTER finding the vertex:

Make a table of values with 5 points: The vertex, plug in 2 x-coordinates SMALLER than
the x-coordinate of the vertex & 2 x-coordinates LARGER than the x-coordinate of the
vertex.

Direction of Opening:
If a is positive, the graph opens up
If a is negative, the graph opens down.

Width of the function:

 If , the graph is narrower than
If , the graph is wider than
Graph each function by making a table of values with at least 5 points. (A) State the vertex. (B)
State the direction of opening (up/down). (C) State whether the graph is wider, narrower, or the
same width as .

23.)
y
10
9
8
7
6
5
Vertex: _______
4
3
2
1
Direction of opening? _______
x
-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-1
-2 Compare width to the graph of y = x2
_________________________
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10

2
24.) k(x) = x + 2x + 1
y
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
Vertex: _______
2
1

-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
x Direction of opening? _______
-2
-3
-4 Compare width to the graph of y = x2
-5
-6 _________________________
-7
-8
-9
-10

2
25.) f(x) = x – x – 6

Vertex: _______

Direction of opening? _______

Compare width to the graph of y = x2

_________________________
 y
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
x
-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10
26.)

y
10
9
8
7
6 Vertex: _______
5
4
3
2
Direction of opening? _______
1
x
-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Compare width to the graph of y = x2
-2
-3 _________________________
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10

27.)

y
10
9
8
7
6 Vertex: _______
5
4
3
2
Direction of opening? _______
1
x
-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Compare width to the graph of y = x2
-2
-3 _________________________
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10

28.)

y
10
9
8
7 Vertex: _______
6
5
4
3
Direction of opening? _______
2
1

-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
x Compare width to the graph of y = x2
-1
-2
_________________________
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10
 2
29. The vertex of the parabola represented by y=2 x −4 x−4 is:

a) (1, -6) b) (1, -5) c) (-1, 2) d) (-1, 6)

2
30. The axis of symmetry for the parabola defined by y=x −8 x +12 :

a) x = -4 b) x = 4 c) x = 8 d) x = 12

2
31. A cannon ball is shot into the air and its height in meters is represented by h=1. 5+23 . 1t−4 . 9 t
where “t” is time in seconds. How high does the cannon ball go?

a) 23.10 m b) 4.78 m c) 28.73 m d) 2.36 m

32. A basketball player is trying to increase her shot accuracy. She stays in the same position on the
court and increases the arc of the flight path of the ball.

Her coach graphs the quadratic function

1
( y−k ) =( x−h )2
a to model parabolic
Path I of the basketball. The coach then
Changes certain values in the given
Equation to graph path II. Which value(s)
Did the coach NOT change?

a) a b) h
c) k d) h and a