Quadratic Functions
Quadratic Functions
The x-intercepts are 1 and 5. The parabola passes through (1, 0) and (5, 0).
Text Example cont.
Step 4 Find the y-intercept. Replace x with 0 in f(x) = -2(x - 3)2 + 8.
f(0) = -2(0 - 3)2 + 8 = -2(-3)2 + 8 = -2(9) + 8 = -10
The y-intercept is –10. The parabola passes through (0, -10).
Step 5 Graph the parabola. With a vertex at (3, 8), x-intercepts at 1 and 5,
and a y-intercept at –10, the axis of symmetry is the vertical line whose
equation is x = 3.
The Vertex of a Parabola Whose
Equation Is f (x) = ax 2 + bx + c
Consider the parabola defined by the
quadratic function f (x) = ax 2 + bx + c.
The parabola's vertex is at
-b -b
, f
2a 2a
Example
Graph the quadratic function f (x) = -x + 6x -. 2
Solution:
Step 1 Determine how the parabola opens. Note that a, the
coefficient of x 2, is -1. Thus, a < 0; this negative value tells us that
the parabola opens downward.
Step 2 Find the vertex. We know the x-coordinate of the vertex is –
b/2a.
We identify a, b, and c to substitute the values into the equation for the
x-coordinate:
x = -b/(2a) = -6/2(-1) = 3.
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 10
-2
-4
-6
-8
-10
Minimum and Maximum:
Quadratic Functions
• Consider f(x) = ax2 + bx +c.
1. If a > 0, then f has a minimum that occurs at
x = -b/(2a). This minimum value is f(-b/(2a)).
2. If a < 0, the f has a maximum that occurs at
x = -b/(2a). This maximum value is f(-b/(2a)).
Strategy for Solving Problems Involving
Maximizing or Minimizing Quadratic
Functions
1. Read the problem carefully and decide which quantity
is to be maximized or minimized.
2. Use the conditions of the problem to express the
quantity as a function in one variable.
3. Rewrite the function in the form f(x) = ax2 + bx +c.
4. Calculate -b/(2a). If a > 0, then f has a minimum that
occurs at x = -b/(2a). This minimum value is f(-b/(2a)).
If a < 0, the f has a maximum that occurs at x = -
b/(2a). This maximum value is f(-b/(2a)).
5. Answer the question posed in the problem.