Second-Degree Polynomial Functions

(a.k.a. Quadratic Functions, a.k.a. Parabolas)

y
1 - Basic Parabola:
 f

f(x) = x2 x

x -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3
f(x) 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

2 - Transformed Parabola:
 f(x) = a ( bx )2

=> compare to step function: f(x) = a [ bx ]

The effect of the parameters ( a & b ) is the same

Laws of exponents should be used to eliminate

parameter “b” for a transformed parabola

Example: f(x) = -5 ( 2x )2 a = -5 b = 2

Example: f(x) = -5 ( 2x )2
 f(x) = -5 ( 22 x2 )

f(x) = -5 ● 4 x2

f(x) = -20 x2 a = -20

Practice: p. 29 #6
Effect of parameters

Vertical Scale Change ( “a” )

a>1

stretches graph
upwards
(away from x-axis)

Example: f(x) = 3x2

0<a<1

stretches graph
downwards
(towards x-axis)

Example: f(x) = 0.5x2

-1 < a < 0

flips graph and

stretches it upwards
(towards x-axis)

Example: f(x) = -0.1x2

a < -1

flips graph and

stretches it downwards
(away from x-axis)

Example: f(x) = -3x2

Summary of the effect of parameter "a"

Parabola "opens up" if a > 0 (+)

"a" number line

-¥ -1 0 1 ¥

Parabola "opens down" if a < 0 ( – )

Practice: p. 27 #1 A to D only, #2, #6

p. 28 #4

a) 1st deg. b) 2nd deg. c) 0 deg. d) 2nd deg.

p. 30 #10

a) dom: x Є IR ran: y Є [ 0 , ¥ [

variation: dec: x Є ] -¥ , 0 ] inc: x Є [ 0 , ¥ [

sign: neg: Æ pos: x Є IR

extrema: min: y = 0 max: Æ

ini. value: y = 0 zero: x = 0

c) dom: x Є IR ran: y Є ] -¥ , 0 ]

variation: inc: x Є ] -¥ , 0 ] dec: x Є [ 0 , ¥ [

sign: neg: x Є IR pos:Æ

extrema: min: Æ max: y = 0

ini. value: y = 0 zero: x = 0

3 - The VERTEX: the point where parabola changes
from decreasing to increasing or vice-versa

The vertex is located at

at the ORIGIN
4 - Characteristics of 2nd Degree Functions

Characteristic a>0 a<0

(upright) (inverted)
Domain (x)
Range(y)
Initial Value (y)
Zero (x)
Positive (x)
Negative (x)
Increasing (x)
Decreasing (x)
Minimum (y)
Maximum (y)
Characteristic a>0 a<0
(upright) (inverted)
Domain (x) x Є IR
Range(y) yЄ[0,¥[
Initial Value (y) y=0
Zero (x) x=0
Positive (x) x Є IR
Negative (x) Æ
Increasing (x) xЄ[0,¥[
Decreasing (x) x Є ] -¥ , 0 ]
Minimum (y) y=0
Maximum (y) Æ
Characteristic a>0 a<0
(upright) (inverted)
Domain (x) x Є IR x Є IR
Range(y) yЄ[0,¥[ y Є ] -¥ , 0 ]
Initial Value (y) y=0 y=0
Zero (x) x=0 x=0
Positive (x) x Є IR Æ
Negative (x) Æ x Є IR
Increasing (x) xЄ[0,¥[ x Є ] -¥ , 0 ]
Decreasing (x) x Є ] -¥ , 0 ] xЄ[0,¥[
Minimum (y) y=0 Æ
Maximum (y) Æ y=0
5 - Finding the RULE (of correspondence)

Example
x -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3
f(x) -27 -12 -3 0 -3 -12 -27
1) Pick a point other than the vertex

2) Substitute the coordinates of the chosen

point into the rule ( f(x) = a x2 )

-12 = a ( 2 )2

3) Solve for parameter a

a = -3
4) Write the rule of the function
f(x) = -3x2
5) Verify the rule.

Practice: p. 28 #8 a & d only

p. 30 #11 a)
6 – Word Problems Involving 2nd Degree Functions

Class: p. 30 # 14, 16,

Homework: p. 30 # 12, 15, 17