Max and Min Values of a Quadratic Equation

Goal: Determine the vertex of a quadratic equation in any form

Vertex: point on the parabola that intersects the axis of symmetry. Its 𝑦-value is the
minimum if the parabola opens up, and is the maximum if it opens down

Different methods to find the vertex:

1. Find vertex directly (if equation is in Vertex Form)

2. Use 𝑥-value directly between (find average) roots to get axis of symmetry. Then sub in
𝑥𝑣 back into equation to get 𝑦𝑣 (if equation is in Factored Form)

−𝑏
3. Use 𝑥𝑣 = to get axis of symmetry. Then sub in 𝑥𝑣 back into equation to get 𝑦𝑣 (if
2𝑎
equation is in Standard Form)
Example 1: Find the vertex. Then find the max/min value.

a) 𝑓 𝑥 =2 𝑥−3 2 +4 b) 𝑓 𝑥 = −3 𝑥 + 1 2 − 11

The vertex is 3, 4 The vertex is −1, −11

Since 𝑎 > 0, our parabola Since 𝑎 < 0, our parabola

opens up. Therefore, we have opens down. Therefore, we have
a minimum value of 𝑦 = 4. a maximum value of 𝑦 = −11.
Example 2: Find the vertex. Then find the max/min value.

1
a) 𝑓 𝑥 = − 𝑥 + 4 𝑥 − 10
2

set equation equal to 0 to find 𝑥-intercepts:

1
0=− 𝑥 + 4 𝑥 − 10 the 𝑥-value of the vertex,
2
or axis of symmetry, is
located directly between
𝑥1 = −4 𝑥2 = 10 the two zeroes

𝑥1 +𝑥2 −4+10 6 49
𝑥𝑣 = = = =3 The vertex is, then, 3, .
2 2 2 2
Since 𝑎 < 0, our parabola opens down.
1 49
𝑦𝑣 = − 3 + 4 3 − 10 Therefore, we have a maximum value of 𝑦 = .
2 2
1
= − 7 −7
2
49 plug 𝑥𝑣 back into equation to get 𝑦-value of vertex, or 𝑦𝑣
=
2
b) 𝑓 𝑥 =6 𝑥−3 𝑥+2

set equation equal to 0 to find 𝑥-intercepts:

0=6 𝑥−3 𝑥+2 the 𝑥-value of the vertex,

or axis of symmetry, is
located directly between
𝑥1 = 3 𝑥2 = −2 the two zeroes
𝑥1 +𝑥2 3+ −2 1
𝑥𝑣 = = =
2 2 2
1 75
The vertex is, then, ,− .
2 2
1 1
𝑦𝑣 = 6 −3 +2 Since 𝑎 > 0, our parabola opens up.
2 2
5 5 75
= 6 − Therefore, we have a minimum value of 𝑦 = − .
2 2 2
150
= −
4
75 plug 𝑥𝑣 back into equation to get 𝑦-value of vertex, or 𝑦𝑣
= −
2
Example 3: Find the vertex. Then find the max/min value.
if we try to factor, we won’t get too far because the most we can do is
𝑓 𝑥 = −2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 30 factor out a −2. What we are left with is something in standard form,
= −2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 15 𝑏
so we can use the formula 𝑥𝑣 = − 2𝑎 to get the axis of symmetry.

𝑏 −2
𝑥𝑣 = − = − =1
2𝑎 2 1
plug 𝑥𝑣 back into equation to get 𝑦-value of vertex, or 𝑦𝑣

𝑦𝑣 = −2 1 2 + 4 1 + 30
= −2 + 4 + 30
= 32

The vertex is, then, 1, 32 .

Since 𝑎 < 0, our parabola opens down.
Therefore, we have a minimum value of 𝑦 = 32.
Had we found the vertex by completing the square and turning it into vertex form, it
would have looked like this
take the −2, “half it and square it”
𝑓 𝑥 = −2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 30 to get 1. Then add a +1 and −1
inside the brackets
factor out = −2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 30
𝑎 from first = −2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 − 1 + 30
two terms
= −2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 + 2 + 30 bring the −1 outside the brackets,
= −2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 + 32 but before you do, multiply by the −2
= −2 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 − 1 + 32 that is out front
factor with
product sum = −2 𝑥 − 1 2 + 32

This would give us the same vertex 1, 32 .