Quadratic Equations and

3.1 Models
Quadratic Equations
Graphing Techniques
Completing the Square
The Vertex Formula
Quadratic Models and Curve Fitting

3.1 - 1
Polynomial Function
A polynomial function of degree n, where n
is a nonnegative integer, is a function
defined by an expression of the form
f  x   an x n  an 1x n 1   a1x  a0 ,
where an, an-1, …, a1, and a0 are real
numbers, with an ≠ 0.

3.1 - 2
 Polynomial Function

For the polynomial function defined by

1
f  x   2x  x  5
3

2
n is 3 and the polynomial has the form
a3 x  a2 x  a1x  a0
3 2

3.1 - 3
Quadratic Function

A function  is a quadratic function if

f ( x )  ax  bx  c,
2

where a, b, and c are real numbers,

with a ≠ 0.

3.1 - 4
 Simplest Quadratic
range
[0, )
y
x (x) 4

–2 4 3
2
–1 1 –4 –3 –2
0 0 x
2 3 4
1 1 –2
domain
f  x   x2
2 4 (−, ) –3
–4

3.1 - 5
 Simplest Quadratic
Parabolas are symmetric with respect to a line. The
line of symmetry is called the axis of the parabola.
The point where the axis intersects the parabola is
the vertex of the parabola.
Opens up Vertex
Axis

Axis
Vertex
Opens down 3.1 - 6
Applying Graphing Techniques to
a Quadratic Function
The graph of g(x) = ax2 is a parabola with vertex at the origin
that opens up if a is positive and down if a is negative. The
width of the graph of g(x) is determined by the magnitude of
a. The graph of g(x) is narrower than that of (x) = x2 if a>
1 and is broader (wider) than that of (x) = x2 if a< 1. By
completing the square, any quadratic function can be written
in the form
F ( x )  a( x  h)  k.
2

the graph of F(x) is the same as the graph of g(x) = ax2

translated hunits horizontally (to the right if h is positive
and to the left if h is negative) and translated k units
vertically (up if k is positive and down if k is negative).

3.1 - 7
 Example 1 GRAPHING QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
Graph the function. Give the domain and
range.
a. f  x   x  4 x  2 (by plotting points)
2

x (x)
Solution 3
–1 3
0 –2
1 –5
2
2 –6
Domain –2
3 –5
(−, )
4 –2
Range
5 3
[– 6, ) –6
3.1 - 8
 Example 1 GRAPHING QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
Graph the function. Give the domain and
range. y  x2
1 2
b. g  x    x
2 3
Solution 1 2
y x
2
Domain
(−, ) 2
–2

Range 1
g  x    x2
(–, 0] 2
–6

3.1 - 9
 Example 1 GRAPHING QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
Graph the function. Give the domain and
range. 1
F  x     x  4  3
2

1
c. F  x     x  4   3
2 2
3
2 (4, 3)

Solution
Domain
–2
(−, ) 1 2
g x   x
2
Range
(–, 3] –6 x=4

3.1 - 10
Graph of a Quadratic
Function
The quadratic function defined by (x) = ax2
+ bx + c can be written as
y  f  x   a  x  h   k, a  0,
2

where b
h and k  f  h  .
2a

3.1 - 11
Graph of a Quadratic
Function
The graph of  has the following characteristics.
1. It is a parabola with vertex (h, k) and the vertical
line x = h as axis.
2. It opens up if a > 0 and down is a < 0.
3. It is broader than the graph of y = x2 if a< 1 and
narrower if a> 1.
4. The y-intercept is (0) = c.
 b  b 2
 4ac
5. If b2 – 4ac > 0, the x-intercepts are
2a
b
If b2 – 4ac = 0, the x-intercepts is 
2a
If b2 – 4ac < 0, there are no x-intercepts.

3.1 - 12
 FINDING THE AXIS AND THE VERTEX OF A
Example 4 PARABOLA USING THE VERTEX FORMULA

Find the axis and vertex of the parabola

having equation (x) = 2x2 +4x + 5 using the
vertex formula.
Solution Here a = 2, b = 4, and c = 5. The
axis of the parabola is the vertical line
b 4
xh   1
2a 2  2
The vertex is (– 1, (– 1)).
Since (– 1) = 2(– 1)2 + 4 (– 1) +5 = 3, the vertex
is (– 1, 3).
3.1 - 13
Quadratic Models and Curve Fitting

Quadratic functions make good models for

data sets where the data either increases,
levels off, and then decreases, levels off,
and then increases.

An application that models the path of the

projectile is
s  t   16t  v 0t  s0 .
2

3.1 - 14
 Example 5 SOLVING A PROBLEM INVOLVING
PROJECTILE MOTION
A ball is thrown upward from an initial height of
100 ft with an initial velocity of 80 ft per sec.
a. Give the function that describes the height
of the ball in terms of time t.

Solution Use the projectile height function

with v0 = 80 and s0 = 100.

s  t   16t  80t  100.

2

3.1 - 15
 Example 5 SOLVING A PROBLEM INVOLVING
PROJECTILE MOTION
A ball is thrown upward from an initial height of
100 ft with an initial velocity of 80 ft per sec.
b. Graph this function on a graphing calculator
so that the y-intercept, the positive x-
intercept, and the vertex are visible.

Solution One choice

for a window is [-.3,
9.7] by [-60,300]

3.1 - 16
 Example 5 SOLVING A PROBLEM INVOLVING
PROJECTILE MOTION
A ball is thrown upward from an initial height of
100 ft with an initial velocity of 80 ft per sec.
c. The point (4.8, 115.36) lies on the graph of
the function. What does this mean for this
particular situation?

Solution When 4.8

seconds have
elapsed, the projectile
is at a height of 115.36
ft.
3.1 - 17
 Example 5 SOLVING A PROBLEM INVOLVING
PROJECTILE MOTION
A ball is thrown upward from an initial height of
100 ft with an initial velocity of 80 ft per sec.
d. After how many seconds does the projectile
reach its maximum height? What is this
maximum height?
Solution Find the coordinates of the vertex
of the parabola. a = – 16 and b = 80
b 80
x   2.5
2a 2  16 

3.1 - 18
 Example 5 SOLVING A PROBLEM INVOLVING
PROJECTILE MOTION
A ball is thrown upward from an initial height of
100 ft with an initial velocity of 80 ft per sec.
d. After how many seconds does the projectile
reach its maximum height? What is this
maximum height?
Solution Find the coordinates of the vertex
of the parabola. a = – 16 and b = 80
y  16  2.5   80  2.5   100
2
and
 200
After 2.5 sec the ball reaches its maximum
height of 200 ft. 3.1 - 19
 Example 5 SOLVING A PROBLEM INVOLVING
PROJECTILE MOTION
A ball is thrown upward from an initial height of
100 ft with an initial velocity of 80 ft per sec.
e. For what interval of time is the height of the
ball greater than 160 ft?
Solution Solve the quadratic inequality.
16 x 2  80 x  100  160
16 x 2  80 x  60  0 Subtract 160.

4 x  20 x  15  0
2 Divide by – 4; reverse
the inequality symbol.

3.1 - 20
 Example 5 SOLVING A PROBLEM INVOLVING
PROJECTILE MOTION
A ball is thrown upward from an initial height of
100 ft with an initial velocity of 80 ft per sec.
e. For what interval of time is the height of the
ball greater than 160 ft?
Solution By the quadratic formula, the
solutions are…
5  10 5  10
 .92 and  4.08
2 2

3.1 - 21
 Example 5 SOLVING A PROBLEM INVOLVING
PROJECTILE MOTION
A ball is thrown upward from an initial height of
100 ft with an initial velocity of 80 ft per sec.
e. For what interval of time is the height of the
ball greater than 160 ft?
Solution The intervals are (– , .92),
(.92, 4.08), and (4.08, ).
A test value in each interval shows that
(.92, 4.08) satisfies the inequality.
The ball is more than 160 ft above ground
between .92 sec and 4.08 sec.
3.1 - 22
 Example 5 SOLVING A PROBLEM INVOLVING
PROJECTILE MOTION
A ball is thrown upward from an initial height of
100 ft with an initial velocity of 80 ft per sec.
f. After how many seconds will the ball hit the
ground?
Solution The height is zero when the ball
hits the ground. Find the positive solution…

16 x  80 x  100  0
2

80  80  4  16 100 

2
x
2  16 
3.1 - 23
 Example 5 SOLVING A PROBLEM INVOLVING
PROJECTILE MOTION
A ball is thrown upward from an initial height of
100 ft with an initial velocity of 80 ft per sec.
f. After how many seconds will the ball hit the
ground?
Solution
x  1.04 or x  6.04

The ball hits the ground after about 6.04 sec.

3.1 - 24
 Example 6 MODELING THE NUMBER OF
HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT VISITS
80 represents 1980, 100 represents 2000,
and so on, and the number of outpatient
visits is given in millions.
b. Predict the
number of visits
in 2008.
Solution Since 2008
corresponds to x =
108, the model
predicts that in 2008
the number of visits
will be…
3.1 - 25
 Example 6 MODELING THE NUMBER OF
HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT VISITS
b. Predict the
number of visits
in 2008.

f 108   .2941108   36.52 108   1296

2

 782 million
3.1 - 26