The equation of a quadratic function

can be determined when given its

5
4 (2,3)
3
2
1 (0,0) (4,0)
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
 5
4 (2,3)
3
2
1 (0,0) (4,0)
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
The vertex of the parabola is (2,3) and passes through the -1
-2
point (0,0). The parabola opens downward since (2,3) is the -3
-4
highest point. Since the parabola has vertex (h, k) or (2,3), -5
the equation must have the form:
𝑦 = −𝑎 𝑥 − ℎ 2 +𝑘
𝑦 = −𝑎 𝑥 − 2 2 +3

Because the parabola passes through the point (0, 0), it follows that 𝑓 0 = 0.
0 = −𝑎 0 − 2 2 + 3 (0,0) 0 = −𝑎 4 − 2 2 +3 (4,0)
0 = −𝑎(4) + 3 0 = −𝑎(4) + 3
0 = −4𝑎 + 3
4𝑎 = 3 0 = −4𝑎 + 3
4𝑎 = 3
3
𝑎= 3
4 𝑎=
4
 5
4 (2,3)
3
2
1 (0,0) (4,0)
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
This implies that the equation is: -1
-2
2 -3
𝑦 = −𝑎 𝑥 − ℎ +𝑘 -4
-5
3 2
Quadratic function in
𝑦=− 𝑥−2 +3
4 vertex form

3 2
𝑦=− 𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 4 + 3
4
3 2
𝑦 = − 𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 3 + 3
4
3 Quadratic function in
𝑦 = − 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥
4 standard form
Find the equation of the parabola shown below

(0,8)
(4,8)

(2,4)
 (0,8)
(4,8)
The vertex of the parabola is (2,4) and passes through the
point (4,8). The parabola opens upward since (4,8) is higher
than the vertex (2,4). (2,4)

𝑦 =𝑎 𝑥−ℎ 2 +𝑘
𝑦=𝑎 𝑥−2 2 +4

Because the parabola passes through the point (4, 8), it follows that 𝑓 4 = 4.
8=𝑎 4−2 2+4 (4,8) 8=𝑎 0−2 2 +4 (0,8)
8 = 𝑎(4) + 4 8 = 𝑎(4) + 4
8 = 4𝑎 + 4
4𝑎 = 8 − 4 8 = 4𝑎 + 4
4𝑎 = 8 − 4
4𝑎 = 4
4𝑎 = 4
𝑎=1 𝑎=1
 5
4 (2,3)
3
2
1 (0,0) (4,0)
(0,8)
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 (4,8)3 4 5
This implies that the equation is: -1
-2
2 -3
𝑦 =𝑎 𝑥−ℎ +𝑘 -4 (2,4)
2 -5
𝑦 = 1 𝑥−2 +4
Quadratic function in
2
𝑦= 𝑥−2 +4 vertex form

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 + 4

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 + 4
Quadratic function in
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 8 standard form
Find the equation of the parabola shown below

(0,8)
(4,8)

(2,3)
 (0,8)
(4,8)
The vertex of the parabola is (2,3) and passes through the
point (4,8). The parabola opens upward since (4,8) is higher
than the vertex (2,3). (2,3)

𝑦 =𝑎 𝑥−ℎ 2 +𝑘
𝑦=𝑎 𝑥−2 2 +3

Because the parabola passes through the point (4, 8), it follows that 𝑓 4 = 4.
8=𝑎 4−2 2+3 (4,8) 8=𝑎 0−2 2 +3 (0,8)
8 = 𝑎(4) + 3 8 = 𝑎(4) + 3
8 = 4𝑎 + 3
4𝑎 = 8 − 3 8 = 4𝑎 + 3
4𝑎 = 8 − 3
4𝑎 = 5
4𝑎 = 5
5
𝑎= 5
4 𝑎=
4
 5
4 (2,3)
3
2
1 (0,0) (4,0)
(0,8)
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 (4,8)3 4 5
This implies that the equation is: -1
-2
2 -3
𝑦 =𝑎 𝑥−ℎ +𝑘 -4 (2,3)

5 2
Quadratic function in -5
𝑦 = 𝑥−2 +3 vertex form
4

5 2
𝑦= 𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 4 + 3
4

5 2
𝑦 = 𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 5 + 3
4

5 2 Quadratic function in
𝑦 = 𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 8
4 standard form