Parabola Worksheets

Match these equations to the correct graph

1.

y=x 2 +3

2.

y=x 23

3.

y=3x 2

4.

y=x 23

a)

b)

C)

d)

Describe what effect the following have on the parabola?

Hint: the equation form for a parabola is
a)
b)
c)
d)

y=ax +bx +c

The coefficient c
The coefficient b
The coefficient a
The squared above the x. Hint: what would the graph look like if
there was no power?

For the following parabolas complete the following

i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)

Find the x-intercepts

Write down the y intercept
Find the equation for the axis of symmetry
Find the co-ordinates of the vertex
Sketch the curve

a)

y=x 23 x

b)

y=10 x2 x 2

c)

y=x 2+ 6 x +7

Parabolas 28.7.15
Sketch the following parabolas:
a)

y=x 2

b)

y=x +2

c)

y=x

d)

y=3 x + 2

e)

y=

f)

y=( x3 ) (x + 4)

g)

y=( x +1 ) ( x2)

1 2
x +4
2

Equation of Symmetry
There are two ways to find the equation of symmetry.
a) Take two points with a shared y value (eg. x intercepts) and find the
average of their x values.
b
b) Use the equation x= 2a
Note the x value given by the equation of symmetry is also the x value of
the vertex of the parabola. To find the vertexs y value, simply substitute
the axis of symmetry x value into the equation of the parabola.

The Minimum or Maximum value

The value when the parabola changes concavity (usually the y value)

y=x +1 , the turning point is when x=0 and y = 1.

In this graph

Therefore we can say its minimum or lowest value is 1 when x=0.

For the following parabolas complete the following
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)

Find the x-intercepts

Write down the y intercept
Find the equation for the axis of symmetry
Find the co-ordinates of the vertex
State the minimum or maximum value
Sketch the curve

a)

y=x 26 x +11

b)

y=x 2 +3 x+20

c)

y=x 23 x10

Find the co-ordinates of the vertex for the following

a)

y=2 x 2+ 8 x +7

b)

y=3 x 26 x2

c)

y=2 x2 +16 x +13

Find the minimum or maximum value of each of the following

a)

y=2 x 3 x+7

b)

y=3 x +5 x 2

c)

y=52 x 3 x

Solve this question:

The quadratic function

y=3 x 2+ bx+ c

has a minimum value of -16 when

x=3.
a) Find the value for b and c.
b) Hence, find the value of y when x = -2.