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Minimums/Maximums of Quadratics
MCR3U: Functions
Recall that a quadratic function has a standard form of
f (x) = ax 2 + bx + c where a, b and c are real numbers.
All quadratic functions have a domain of {x ∈ R}.
The range of a quadratic function, however, is restricted by
Minimums/Maximums of Quadratic Functions the location of the vertex of the resulting parabola.
Part 1: Completing the Square and Factoring A quadratic function with vertex V (h, k) has a minimum
value of k when a > 0, and a range of
J. Garvin {f (x) ∈ R | f (x) ≥ k}.
Similarly, when a < 0 the maximum value is k and the range
is {f (x) ∈ R | f (x) ≤ k}.

J. Garvin — Minimums/Maximums of Quadratic Functions

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Minimums/Maximums of Quadratics Minimums/Maximums of Quadratics

The minimum/maximum or the range are easy to determine
if we know the location of the vertex, but this is not readily
apparent if the quadratic is in standard form.
A more useful representation is vertex form,
f (x) = a(x − h)2 + k, which specifies the location of the
vertex, V (h, k).
There are several methods available to convert a quadratic
from standard form to vertex form.

J. Garvin — Minimums/Maximums of Quadratic Functions J. Garvin — Minimums/Maximums of Quadratic Functions

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Perfect Square Trinomials Perfect Square Trinomials

For what value of c will x 2 + bx + c be a perfect square? Example
Recall that a perfect square trinomial of the form x 2 + bx + c Determine the value of k such that x 2 + 18x + k is a perfect
√
satisfies the relationship b = 2 c. square.

2
Therefore, if c = b2 , then the trinomial is a perfect square.
 2
18
k=
2
= 92
= 81

J. Garvin — Minimums/Maximums of Quadratic Functions J. Garvin — Minimums/Maximums of Quadratic Functions

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Perfect Square Trinomials Completing the Square

Example One method of converting a quadratic function to vertex
Determine the value of k such that x2 + 4 form is by a process called Completing the Square (CTS).
3x + k is a perfect
square. To do so, we factor out the leading coefficient from the
terms of the trinomial involving the independent variable,
!2 then express what remains as a perfect square.
4
k= 3 This is done by adding, and subtracting, a constant term of


b 2
2
2 . The subtraction ensures that the function is equivalent
 2 to the original.
4
=
6
 2
2
=
3
4
=
9
J. Garvin — Minimums/Maximums of Quadratic Functions J. Garvin — Minimums/Maximums of Quadratic Functions
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Completing the Square Completing the Square

Example The first three terms inside of the brackets, x 2 − 10x + 25,
Determine the minimum/maximum value of now make a perfect square that factors as (x − 5)2 .
f (x) = 2x 2 − 20x + 53 by completing the square.
f (x) = 2([x − 5]2 − 25) + 53
First, factor 2 out of the first two terms of the trinomial. Expand and simplify.
f (x) = 2(x 2 − 10x) + 53 f (x) = 2(x − 5)2 − 50 + 53


−10 2 = 2(x − 5)2 + 3
Next, add and subtract a constant of 2 = 25 inside of
the brackets.
Therefore, the vertex is a at (5, 3).
2
f (x) = 2(x − 10x + 25 − 25) + 53 Since a > 0, the parabola has a minimum value.
The minimum value of f (x) is 3, and occurs when x = 5.

J. Garvin — Minimums/Maximums of Quadratic Functions J. Garvin — Minimums/Maximums of Quadratic Functions

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Completing the Square Partial Factoring

Your Turn Another method of determining the location of the vertex is
Determine the minimum/maximum value of partial factoring.
f (x) = −3x 2 + 21x − 35 by completing the square. Note that for any function y = f (x), the graph of
y = f (x) + k would be the same, but with all points,
including the vertex, moved upward (or downward) by a
constant k.
f (x) = −3(x 2 − 7x) − 35

2
2  The x-coordinate of the vertex would remain unchanged, so
= −3 x 2 − 7x + −7 2 − −7
2 − 35 any quadratic function f (x) = ax 2 + bx + c would have the
 

7 2 49 same x-coordinate for its vertex as that of g (x) = ax 2 + bx.
= −3 x − 2 − 4 − 35

By common factoring g (x), we can determine the
7 2 147 140
= −3 x − 2 + 4 − 4 x-coordinate of the vertex, and use that value of x to find

2
= −3 x − 72 + 47 the associated y -coordinate.

7
A maximum of 4 occurs when x = 72 .
J. Garvin — Minimums/Maximums of Quadratic Functions J. Garvin — Minimums/Maximums of Quadratic Functions
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Partial Factoring Partial Factoring

Example Due to symmetry, the x-coordinate of the vertex is the
0 + (−4)
Determine the minimum/maximum value of average of these two values, or = −2.
f (x) = 5x 2 + 20x + 23 by partial factoring. 2
Therefore, we find f (−2) to determine the location of the
Let g (x) = 5x 2 + 20x. Then g (x) = 5x(x + 4). vertex.

Set g (x) = 0 to find the zeroes (x-intercepts) of g (x). f (−2) = 5(−2)2 + 20(−2) + 23
= 20 − 40 + 23
5x = 0 x +4=0
=3
x =0 x = −4
So the vertex is located at (−2, 3), giving a minimum value
of 3 when x = −2.
If we wanted to, we could write f (x) in vertex form as
f (x) = 5(x + 2)2 + 3.
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Partial Factoring Questions?

Your Turn
Determine the maximum/minimum value of
f (x) = 2x 2 − 24x + 59.

g (x) = 2x 2 − 24x
0 = 2x(x − 12)
x = 0 or 12
0+12
2 =6
f (6) = 2(6)2 − 24(6) + 59
= −13

The minimum value of −13 occurs when x = 6.

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