Unit: Quadratic Equations and Inequalities Module: Writing Quadratic Equations [Page 1 of 1]

Using the Vertex to Write the Equations

• Standard form of a parabola: f (x) = ax 2 + bx + c.

• Vertex of a parabola: (h,k).

• h = -b/2a.
• k = f(h).

• Standard form for parabola showing vertex: f (x) = a (x - h)2 + k.

• To rewrite an equation in the standard form showing the vertex:

• Find the value of h.
• Find the value of k.
• Substitute these values into the standard form.

One way to determine the vertex (h,k) of a parabola is to use

these formulas for h and k.
In this example, a = 1 and b = 4.
So, h = -(4)/2(1) = -2.
k = f (-2) = (-2)2 + 4(-2) + 1 = -3
The vertex is (h,k) and now known.

Substitute these coordinates in to write the equation in

standard form.

This example points out the value of being accurate and

careful in what you are doing.
You are following the same process:
1. Determine h and k.
(Please use the correct numbers, or .....oops.)
2. Write the vertex.
3. Write the function in standard form showing the vertex.

You know that this is a down-turned parabola because x 2

has a negative coefficient.

Find h and k.

Write the equation in standard form.

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Copyright  2001, Thinkwell Corp. All Rights Reserved. 6703 –rev 05/02/2001

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 Unit: Quadratic Equations and Inequalities Module: Writing Quadratic Equations

Building a Polynomial Equation from Its Solutions

• Given the solutions, find a polynomial with those solutions by working backwards.

• Two solutions indicate at least a quadratic polynomial.

• Three solutions indicate at least a cubic polynomial.

The solutions themselves provide equations to start

from.
Rewrite each equation so that one side is 0.
Write a multiplication problem using the altered
solution equations as factors producing 0. Use FOIL
to create the quadratic equation.
NOTE: This result is a quadratic equation because it
had two solutions with which to produce its equation.

Again, in this example, two solutions are offered.

Follow the same process:
Rewrite each equation so that one side is 0.
Set up a multiplication problem with the two
solution factors producing 0.
Use FOIL to produce the equation.

Notice that one of these solutions began with a

fraction. Its denominator was cleared before
proceeding.

This example offers three solutions. As a result, from

the very beginning expect to generate a cubic
equation; i.e., an equation with a variable cubed.

The process follows the same steps as seen in the

previous examples.

Sure enough, three solutions produce a cubic

equation.

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Copyright  2001, Thinkwell Corp. All Rights Reserved. 1954 –rev 05/16/2001