MCR - 3U Unit 1

Unit 1 –
Lesson 3
Lesson 3 - Minimum or Maximum of a Quadratic Function

Goal – Determine the maximum or minimum value of a quadratic function using various methods.

Properties of Quadratic Functions

Quadratic functions can be expresses in different algebraic forms:

Standard Form:

Factored Form:

Vertex Form:

 If a is positive then the parabola opens . If a is negative then the

parabola opens .

 The vertex is located at the point (-h, k). If a is negative then the vertex is a

. If a is positive then the vertex is a .

 The axis of symmetry is the x value of the vertex or x = -h

 The zeroes (x-intercepts) of the parabola can be found by writing the quadratic

in form.

 To calculate the y-intercept, substitute into the quadratic

equation.

To determine the maximum or minimum value of a quadratic function in the form

, rewrite the function in the form by completing the
square.
MCR - 3U Unit 1
Unit 1 –
Examples 1:
Lesson 3
Find the maximum or minimum value of the following functions by completing the square.
a)
Group the terms containing x.

Factor the coefficient of x 2 from the first two terms.

Complete the square inside the brackets.

Write the perfect square trinomial as the square of a binomial.

Expand to remove the square brackets.

Simplify.

The function reaches a maximum value of 21 when x = -2.

Examples 2:
State the vertex, axis of symmetry, direction of opening, y-intercept, domain and range,
and the maximum or minimum value for each quadratic.

a) b)
MCR - 3U Unit 1
Unit 1 –
Lesson 3
Examples 3:

Mr. Burns, Mr. Hughes, and Mr. Scott build a rocket that they want to launch from
the roof of Crestwood. The height of the rocket above the ground is modelled by
the quadratic function:

h ( t ) = −4.9t 2 + 196t + 100 ,

where h(t) is the height in metres and t is the time in seconds after the launch.

(a) How high is the roof?

(b) When will the rocket hit the ground?
(c) What is the maximum height of the rocket?
(d) Determine the domain and range of the function in this situation.