Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations
By Jennifer Huss
1
 Functions with the form y=ax2+bx+c are
called quadratic functions and their graphs
have a parabolic shape
 When we solve ax2+bx+c=0 we look for
values of x that are x-intercepts (because we
have y=0)
 The x-intercepts are called the solutions or
roots of a quadratic equation
 A quadratic equation can have two real
solutions, one real solution, or no real
solutions
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 2
 On the calculator find roots using the ROOT
menu
◦ Choose a point to the left of the x-intercept and a
point to the right of the x-intercept to give a
range in which the calculator will find the x-
intercept
◦ Do this for each root you see on the graph

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 3
Graph y= -x2 - 2x + 8 and find its roots.

Vertex: (-1, 9)
Roots: (-4, 0) (2, 0)
Viewing window:
Xmin= -10
Xmax=10
Ymin= -10
Ymax= 10

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 4
 1. Find what size viewing window is needed
to view y= x2 + 4x -15. Find the roots.

Window: Xmin= -10 Xmax= 10 Ymin= -20 Ymax= 10 Roots: -6.3589 and 2.3589

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 5
 In a quadratic equation y=ax2+bx+c, ax2 is
the quadratic term, bx is the linear term, and
c is the constant term
 The axis of symmetry is a line that divides a
parabola into two equal parts that would
match exactly if folded over on each other
 The vertex is where the axis of symmetry
meets the parabola
 The roots or zeros (or solutions) are found by
solving the quadratic equation for y=0 or
looking at the graph
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 6
Graph with definitions shown: Three outcomes for number of
roots:
Axis of Symmetry

Two roots One root:

10

8 10

6 8

4 6

Root Root 2 4
2
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 10
-2 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 10
-4 -2

-6 -4

-8 -6

Vertex (2., -5.) -10 -8

-10

No roots:
10
9
8
7
6

5
4
3
2
1

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

Explaining Graph of Quadratic Equations 7

For y= -x2 -2x + 8 identify each term, graph the equation, find the vertex, and
find the solutions of the equation.

10

-x2: quadratic term

Vertex (-1., 9.)
8

-2x: linear term

6

8: constant term Root (-4., 0.)

2
Root (2., 0.)

-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 10
Solve for y: -2

Vertex: -4

x=(-b/2a) y= -x2 -2x + 8 -6

-8

x= -(-2/2(-1)) y= -(-1)2 -(2)(-1) + 8 -10

x= 2/(-2) y= -(1) + 2 + 8
x= -1
y= 9 Vertex is (-1, 9)

Explaining Graph of Quadratic Equations 8

Find the roots for the Problem:
-x2 -2x + 8 = 0
(-x + 2)(x + 4) = 0
-x + 2 = 0 x+4=0
-x = -2 x = -4
x=2

(2, 0) and (-4, 0) are the roots.

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 9
 1. Name the quadratic term, the linear term,
and the constant term of y= -x2 + 4x.
2. Graph y= 4x2 – 2x + 1 and find its vertex
and axis of symmetry.
3. Find the roots of y= x2 – 8x + 12.

3) (2,0) and (6,0) 2) (¼, ¾) x= ¼ 1) –x2: quadratic term 4x: linear term no constant term
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 10
 Factor with the zero product property: if
a*b=0 then either a=0 or b=0 or both are
equal to 0
 Factoring by guess and check is useful, but

you may have to try several combinations

before you find the correct one
 While doing word problems examine your

solutions carefully to make sure it is a

reasonable answer

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 11
Solve the equation (2t + 1)2 – 4(2t + 1) + 3 =
0.

(2t + 1)(2t + 1) – 4(2t + 1) + 3 = 0

4t2 + 2t + 2t + 1 – 8t – 4 + 3 = 0
4t2 – 4t = 0
4t (4t – 1) = 0
4t = 0 t–1=0
t=0 t=1

The solutions are 0 and 1.

Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 12
1. Solve (5x – 25)(7x + 3) = 0.
2. Solve by factoring: 4x2 – 13x = 12.

2) -3/4 and 4 1) 5 and -3/7

Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 13
 The way to complete a square for x2 + bx +
? is to take ½ x b and then square it
 So for x2 + 6x + ? :
½ (6) = 3 32 = 9 Therefore, the blank should be 9.
 If the coefficient of x2 is not 1, you must
divide the equation by that coefficient
before completing the square
 Some roots will be irrational or imaginary

numbers

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 14
Find the exact solution of 2x2 – 6x – 5
= 0.
x – 3/2 = + 19/2 or
2x2 – 6x – 5 = 0
x – 3/2 = - 19/2
x – 3x – 5/2 = 0
2

x2 – 3x +  = 5/2 + 
Solution:
x – 3x + 9/4 = 5/2 + 9/4
2

(x – 3/2)2 = 19/4 x = 3/2 + 19/2 and

(x – 3/2)2 = 19/4 x = 3/2 – 19/2
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 15
1. Find the value c that makes x2 + 12x + c
a perfect square.
2. Solve x2 – 2x – 15 = 0 by completing the
square.

2) -3 and 5 1) c = 36

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 16
 The quadratic formula gives the solutions of
ax2 + bx + c = 0 when it is not easy to
factor the quadratic or complete the square
 Quadratic formula:
x= -b +/- b2 – 4ac
2a
 To remember the formula try singing it to
the tune of the Notre Dame fight song or
“Pop Goes the Weasel”

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 17
 The b2 – 4ac term is called the discriminant and it
helps to determine how many and what kind of
roots you see in the solution

Value of b2 – 4ac Is it a perfect square? Nature of the Roots

b2 – 4ac > 0 yes 2 real roots, rational

b2 – 4ac > 0 no 2 real roots, irrational

b2 – 4ac < 0 not possible 2 imaginary roots

b2 – 4ac = 0 not possible 1 real root

Explaining Graph of Quadratic Equations 18

 Find the discriminant of 3x2 + x – 2 = 0 and tell the
nature of its roots. Then solve the equation.

a = 3 b = 1 c = -2
Discriminant = b2 – 4ac x= -1 +/- 12 – 4(3)(-2)
= 12 – 4(3)(-2) 2(3)
= 1 – (-24) x= -1 +/- 25
= 1 + 24 6
= 25
x= -1 +/- 5
So, there are two real roots 6
and the solutions will be x = -1 + 5 x = -1 - 5
rational. 6 6
x = 2/3 x = -1
The solutions are 2/3 and -1.
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 19
1. Use the discriminant to tell the nature of
the roots of -7x2 – 8x – 10 = 0.
2. Use the quadratic formula to solve the
equation -15x2 – 8x – 1 = 0.

2) -1/3 and -1/5 2 imaginary roots 1) Discriminant = -216

Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 20
 You can find the quadratic equation from
the roots of the equation
 If the roots are called S and S , then
1 2
S1 + S2 = -b/a and S1 x S2 = c/a
 This gives us the coefficients of ax2 + bx +

c=0
 You can also use this method with

imaginary roots or to check your solution to

a quadratic equation

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 21
Write a quadratic equation from the given
roots -4 and -2/3.

-4 + -2/3 = -14/3
-4 x -2/3 = 8/3
a=3 b=14 c=8
3x2 + 14x + 8 = 0

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 22
1. Given the roots -1/3 and -1/5, write the
quadratic equation.
2. Solve the equation x2 + 3x – 18 = 0 and
check your answers using the sum and
product of the roots.

2) -6 and 3 1) 15x2 + 8x + 1 = 0

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 23
 A parabola has the equation y = a (x – h)2
+k
 The coefficients a, h, and k can be changed
to create similar parabolas
 Changing “k” moves the parabola up (k > 0)
or down (k < 0)
 A change in “h” moves the parabola to the
right (h > 0) or left (h < 0)
 Changing “a” makes a parabola open
upwards (a > 0) or downwards (a < 0), and
also tells if the parabola is wider ( IaI < 1) or
narrower ( IaI > 1)
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 24
Predict the shape of the parabola y = 2 (x+3) 2 + 1
and graph it on a graphing calculator to check your
answer.

k = 1 the graph moves

up one
h = -3 the graph moves
three to the left
a = 2 the graph is
narrower and opens
upward
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 25
1. Predict the shape of y = (x + 2)2 + 1 and
graph the equation on a graphing
calculator.

1) Moved up one and two to the left

Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 26
 For more information on figuring out the
shape of graphs see the notes on 6-6A
 The equation y = a (x – h)2 + k gives the

vertex (h, k) and the axis of symmetry is x

=h
 You can write the equation of a parabola if

you know its vertex or if you know three

points the parabola passes through

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 27
 1. Write y = x2 + 6x – 3 in standard form and then name
the vertex, axis of symmetry ,and direction of
opening.
y = x2 + 6x – 3
y + 3 +  = (x2 + 6x + )
y + 3 + 9 = (x2 + 6x + 9)
y + 12 = (x + 3)2
y = (x + 3)2 – 12

Vertex: (-3, -12)

Axis of Symmetry: x = -3
The graph should open upwards.
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 28
 2. Given the points (0, 1) (2, -1) and (1, 3) write
the equation of the parabola.
Substitute the points into the Plug in c = 1 for the other
equation y = ax2 + bx + c: two equations:
(0, 1): 1 = a(0)2 + b (0) + c -1 = 4a + 2b + 1
1=c -2 = 4a + 2b
(2, -1): -1 = a (2)2 + b (2) + c
-1 = 4a + 2b + c 3=a+b+1
(1, 3): 3 = a(1)2 + b (1) + c 2=a+b
3=a+b+c Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 29
2. Now solve the system of equations:
-2 = 4a + 2b
2=a+b
a=2–b a=2–b
-2 = 4 (2 – b) + 2b a=2–5
-2 = 8 – 4b + 2b a = -3
-2 = 8 – 2b
-10 = -2b a = -3 b = 5 c = 1
b=5
The equation is y =Graph
Explaining -3x 2
+ 5x + 1.
of Quadratic
Equations 30
1. Write y = x2 – 6x + 11 in the form y = a (x –
h)2 + k and find the vertex, axis of symmetry,
and direction of opening.
2. Find the equation of the parabola that passes
through (0, 0), (2, 6) and (-1, 3). Then graph
the function.

2) y = 2x2 - x
of #2
Graph opens upward
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
vertex: (3, 2) axis of symmetry: x = 3 1) y = (x – 3)2 + 2
Equations 31
 The graph of the parabola serves as a
boundary between the area inside the
parabola and the area outside the parabola
 Graph quadratic inequalities the same way
you graph linear inequalities:
 Graph the parabola and decide if the boundary line
should be solid (≤ or ≥) or dashed ( < or >)
 Test one point inside the parabola and one outside the
parabola
 Shade the region where the inequality was true for the
tested points

• To solve a quadratic inequality you could

graph it or find it through factoring the inequality
and testing points
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 32
 1. Graph the quadratic inequality y > 3x2 + 12x.
Then decide if (2,4) is a solution to the inequality.
Decide where to shade:
Test: (0,0) Test: (-2, 2)
0 > 3 (0)2 + 12 (0) 2 > 3 (-2)2 + 12 (-2)
0>0+0 2 > 3 (4) – 24
0>0 2 > -12
False True

Is (2, 4) a solution?
4 > 3 (2)2 + 12(2) You could also look at the graph and see that
4 > 12 + 24 (2,4) is not in the shaded region.
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
4 > 36 (2, 4) is not a solution. Equations 33
2. Solve x2 – 16 < 0.

(x – 4)(x + 4) = 0
x = 4 and x = -4 -4 4

Test in each region so lets choose x = -5, x = 0, and x = 5.

Test: x = -5 Test: x = 0 Test: x = 5
(-5)2 – 16 < 0 (0)2 – 16 < 0 (5)2 – 16 < 0
25 – 16 < 0 0 – 16 < 0 25 – 16 < 0
9<0 -16 < 0 9<
0
False True False

The solution is -4 < x < 4.

Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 34
1. Graph the quadratic inequality y > x2 – x
+ 10 and decide if (0, 12) is a solution of
the inequality.
2. Solve x2 – 10x – 16 < 0.

solution.
1)
2) 2 < x < 8 (0, 12) is a
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 35
 Standard deviation tells how spread out the
values are in a set of data (given symbol σ)
 The mean is the average of your data ( symbol

x)
 Usually a graphing calculator is used to

calculate the standard deviation

Standard (x1 – x)2 + (x2 – x)2 + … + (xn – x)2
=
Deviation
n

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 36
Calculate the mean and standard deviation of
{3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 22}.

3 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 9 + 11 + 22 = 9
Mean =
7

Standard = (3 – 9)2 + (5 – 9)2 + … + (22 - 9)2

Deviation = 5.8
7

Explaining Graph of Quadratic

Equations 37
1. Calculate the mean and standard deviation
of {3, 5, 2, 6, 5, 9}.

Standard Deviation = 6 or 2.45 1) Mean = 5

Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 38
 A normal distribution curve shows the frequency
(how many times something occurs) in a symmetric
graph
◦ It is often called a bell-curve because it resembles a bell

• Normal Distributions have the following properties:

1. The graph is the highest at the mean
2. The mean, median, and mode are equal
3. Data is symmetrical about the mean
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 39
For a Normal Distribution curve:
•68% of the values fall within one standard deviation
•95% of the values fall within two standard deviations
•99% of the values fall within three standard deviations

3σ 2σ 1σ 1σ 2σ 3σ
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 40
 A battery has an average life span of 50 hours, with a standard
deviation of 3 hours. The life span of the batteries is normally
distributed.
a) What percent of batteries last at least 44 hours?

97.5% of batteries last at

least 44 hours.
41 44 47 50 53 56 59

2.5% 95% 2.5%

b) If we have 1500 batteries, how many batteries are within one

standard deviation of the mean?
68% of batteries are within one standard deviation.
(1500)(0.68) = 1020 1020 batteries are within
one standard deviation.
Explaining Graph of Quadratic
Equations 41