5.2 Solving Quadratic Equations Algebra 2

Learning Targets I can solve quadratic equations by graphing, Find the equation of the axis of symmetry and find the coordinates of the vertex of the graph of a quadratic function I can solve quadratic equations by factoring

Definition of a Quadratic Function A quadratic function is a function that can be described by an equation of the form y = ax 2 + bx + c, where a ≠ 0.

Generalities Equations such as y = 6x – 0.5x 2 and y = x 2 – 4x +1 describe a type of function known as a quadratic function. Graphs of quadratic functions have common characteristics. For instance, they all have the general shape of a parabola.

Generalities The table and graph can be used to illustrate other common characteristics of quadratic functions. Notice the matching values in the y-column of the table. xx 2 – 4x + 1y (-1) 2 – 4(1) (0) 2 – 4(0) (1) 2 – 4(1) (2) 2 – 4(2) (3) 2 – 4(3) (4) 2 – 4(4) (5) 2 – 4(5) + 16 y = x 2 – 4x + 1 x = 2 (2, -3)

Generalities Notice in the y-column of the table, -3 does not have a matching value. Also notice that -3 is the y-coordinate of the lowest point of the graph. The point (2, -3) is the lowest point, or minimum point, of the graph of y = x 2 – 4x + 1. xx 2 – 4x + 1y (-1) 2 – 4(1) (0) 2 – 4(0) (1) 2 – 4(1) (2) 2 – 4(2) (3) 2 – 4(3) (4) 2 – 4(4) (5) 2 – 4(5) + 16 y = x 2 – 4x + 1 x = 2 (2, -3)

Maximum/minimum points For the graph of y = 6x – 0.5x 2, the point (6, 18) is the highest point, or maximum point. The maximum point or minimum point of a parabola is also called the vertex of the parabola. The graph of a quadratic function will have a minimum point or a maximum, BUT NOT BOTH!!!

Axis of Symmetry The vertical line containing the vertex of the parabola is also called the axis of symmetry for the graph. Thus, the equation of the axis of symmetry for the graph of y = x 2 – 4x + 1 is x = 2 In general, the equation of the axis of symmetry for the graph of a quadratic function can be found by using the rule following.

Equation of the Axis of Symmetry The equation of the axis of symmetry for the graph of y = ax 2 + bx + c, where a ≠ 0, is

Ex. 1: Find the equation of the axis of symmetry and the coordinates of the vertex of the graph of y = x 2 – x – 6. Then use the information to draw the graph. First, find the axis of symmetry. NOTE: for y = x 2 – x – 6 a = 1 b = -1 c = -6

Ex. 1: Find the equation of the axis of symmetry and the coordinates of the vertex of the graph of y = x 2 – x – 6. Then use the information to draw the graph. Next, find the vertex. Since the equation of the axis of symmetry is x = ½, the x-coordinate of the vertex must be ½. You can find the y- coordinate by substituting ½ for x in y = x 2 – x – 6. The point ( ½, -25/4) is the vertex of the graph. This point is a minimum.

Generalities The table and graph can be used to illustrate other common characteristics of quadratic functions. Notice the matching values in the y-column of the table. xx 2 – x – 6y -2(-2) 2 – (-2) – 60 (-1) 2 – (-1) – 6-4 0(0) 2 – (0) – 6-6 1(1) 2 – (1) – 6-6 2(2) 2 – (2) – 6-4 3(3) 2 – (3) - 60 y = x 2 – x – 6 x = ½ ½, -25/4) This point is a minimum!

Solving Quadratic Equations Graphically S OLVING Q UADRATIC E QUATIONS U SING G RAPHS The solutions, or roots, of ax 2 + bx + c = 0 are the x-intercepts. Write the equation in the form ax 2 + bx + c = 0. Write the related function y = ax 2 + bx + c. Sketch the graph of the function y = ax 2 + bx + c. STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 The solution of a quadratic equation in one variable x can be solved or checked graphically with the following steps:

Solve x 2 = 8 algebraically. 1 2 Check your solution graphically. 1 2 x 2 = 8 S OLUTION Write original equation. x 2 = 16 Multiply each side by 2. Find the square root of each side. x =  4 Check these solutions using a graph. Checking a Solution Using a Graph C HECK

Checking a Solution Using a Graph Write the equation in the form ax 2 + bx + c = x 2 = 8 Rewrite original equation. 1 2 x 2 – 8 = 0 Subtract 8 from both sides. y = 1 2 x 2 – 8 Write the related function y = ax 2 + bx + c. 1 2 Check these solutions using a graph. C HECK

Checking a Solution Using a Graph 2 3 Check these solutions using a graph. Sketch graph of y = 2 x 2 – 8. 1 The x-intercepts are  4, which agrees with the algebraic solution. Write the related function y = 1 2 x 2 – 8 y = ax 2 + bx + c. C HECK 4, 0– 4, 0

Solving an Equation Graphically Solve x 2 – x = 2 graphically. Check your solution algebraically. S OLUTION Write the equation in the form ax 2 + bx + c = 0 x 2 – x = 2Write original equation. x 2 – x – 2 = 0 Subtract 2 from each side. Write the related function y = ax 2 + bx + c. y = x 2 – x – (x-2)(x+1)=0Factor and set equal to zero. x – 2 = 0 x = 2 x + 1 = 0 x = -1 Solve. These are your x-intercepts.

Solving an Equation Graphically Write the related function y = ax 2 + bx + c. y = x 2 – x – 2 Sketch the graph of the function y = x 2 – x – 2 From the graph, the x-intercepts appear to be x = –1 and x = – 1, 0 2, 0

Solving an Equation Graphically From the graph, the x-intercepts appear to be x = –1 and x = 2. You can check this by substitution. Check x = –1: Check x = 2: x 2 – x = 2 (–1) 2 – (–1) 2 = ? = 2 x 2 – x = 2 4 – 2 = – 2 = 2 ? – 1, 0 2, 0 C HECK

Pair-share P 260 #24-46 even