1. y = ax 2 + bx + c where a  0. GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
A quadratic function has the form
y = ax 2 + bx + c where a  0.

2. GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
The graph is “U-shaped” and is called a parabola.

3. GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
The highest or lowest point on the
parabola is called the ver tex.

4. GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
In general, the axis of symmetry for the parabola is the vertical line through the vertex.

5. GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
These are the graphs of y = x 2
and y = - x 2.

6. GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
The origin is the lowest point on the graph of y = x 2, and the highest point on the graph of y = - x 2.
The origin is the vertex for both graphs.

7. GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
The y-axis is the axis of symmetry
for both graphs.

8. GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
THE GRAPH OF A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
CONCEPT
SUMMARY
The graph of y = a x 2 + b x + c is a parabola with these characteristics:
• The parabola opens up if a > 0 and opens down if a < 0.
The parabola is wider than the graph of y = x 2 if a < 1 and narrower than the graph y = x 2 if a > 1.
• The x-coordinate of the vertex is – b 2a
• The axis of symmetry is the vertical line x = – b 2a

9. Since a > 0, the parabola opens up.
Graphing a Quadratic Function
Graph y = 2 x 2 – 8 x + 6
SOLUTION
Note that the coefficients for this function are a = 2, b = – 8, and c = 6.
Since a > 0, the parabola opens up.

10. b – 8 x = – = – = 2 2 a 2(2) y = 2(2)2 – 8 (2) + 6 = – 2
Graphing a Quadratic Function
Graph y = 2 x 2 – 8 x + 6
Find and plot the vertex.
x = – = – = 2 b
2 a
– 8
2(2)
The x-coordinate is:
The y-coordinate is:
y = 2(2)2 – 8 (2) + 6 = – 2
(2, – 2)
So, the vertex is (2, – 2).

11. Use symmetry to plot two more points, such as (3, 0) and (4, 6).
Graphing a Quadratic Function
Graph y = 2 x 2 – 8 x + 6
Draw the axis of symmetry x = 2.
(4, 6)
(0, 6)
Plot two points on one side of the axis of symmetry, such as (1, 0) and (0, 6).
Use symmetry to plot two more points, such as (3, 0) and (4, 6).
(1, 0)
(3, 0)
(2, – 2)
Draw a parabola through the plotted points.

12. VERTEX AND INTERCEPT FORMS OF A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
VERTEX AND INTERCEPT FORMS OF A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
FORM OF QUADRATIC FUNCTION
CHARACTERISTICS OF GRAPH
Vertex form:
y = a (x – h)2 + k
The vertex is (h, k ).
The axis of symmetry is x = h.
Intercept form:
y = a (x – p )(x – q )
The x -intercepts are p and q.
The axis of symmetry is half- way between ( p , 0 ) and (q , 0 ).
For both forms, the graph opens up if a > 0 and opens down if a < 0.

13. a < 0, the parabola opens down.
Graphing a Quadratic Function
Graphing a Quadratic Function
Graph y = – (x + 3)2 + 4 1 2
SOLUTION
(– 3, 4)
The function is in vertex form
y = a (x – h)2 + k.
a = – , h = – 3, and k = 4 1 2
a < 0, the parabola opens down.
To graph the function, first plot the vertex (h, k) = (– 3, 4).

14. 2 1 Graph y = – (x + 3)2 + 4 Draw the axis of symmetry x = – 3.
Graphing a Quadratic Function
Graphing a Quadratic Function in Vertex Form
Graph y = – (x + 3)2 + 4 1 2
Draw the axis of symmetry x = – 3.
(– 3, 4)
(–1, 2)
(– 5, 2)
Plot two points on one side of it, such as (–1, 2) and (1, – 4).
Use symmetry to complete the graph.
(1, – 4)
(– 7, – 4)

15. a = –1, p = – 2, and q = 4. Graph y = – ( x +2)(x – 4)
Graphing a Quadratic Function in Intercept Form
Graph y = – ( x +2)(x – 4)
SOLUTION
The quadratic function is in intercept form y = a (x – p)(x – q), where
a = –1, p = – 2, and q = 4.

16. (– 2, 0) and (4, 0). Graph y = – ( x +2)(x – 4)
Graphing a Quadratic Function in Intercept Form
Graph y = – ( x +2)(x – 4)
The x-intercepts occur at
(– 2, 0) and (4, 0).
(– 2, 0)
(4, 0)
The axis of symmetry lies half-way between these points, at x = 1.
(– 2, 0)
(4, 0)

17. x = 1 and the y-coordinate of the vertex is:
Graphing a Quadratic Function in Intercept Form
Graph y = – ( x +2)(x – 4)
(1, 9)
So, the x-coordinate of the vertex is
x = 1 and the y-coordinate of the vertex is:
y = – (1 + 2) (1 – 4) = 9
(– 2, 0)
(4, 0)

18. GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
You can change quadratic functions from intercept form
or vertex form to standard form by multiplying algebraic expressions.
One method for multiplying expressions containing
two terms is FOIL. Using this method, you add the
products of the First terms, the O uter terms, the Inner
terms, and the Last terms.

19. F O I L F O I L Last Inner Outer First ( x + 3 )( x + 5 ) = x 2 + 5x +
GRAPHING A QUADRATIC FUNCTION
( x )( x ) =
x 2 + 5x + 3x + 15
= x x + 15 F O I L F O I L
Last
Inner
Outer
First