Grade 10 Mathematics

Intro to
Quadratic
Functions
 Terms of
Quadratic
Functions
Quadratic Function
Written in standard form:
y = ax + bx + c
We can identify quadratic functions as they have an exponent of x
The graph of a quadratic function is called a "parabola"

Every point on a parabola represents an 'x' and 'y'

All 2nd differences are constant but not 0
When parabola opens up, 2nd differences are
positive
When parabola opens down, 2nd differences
are negative
Parts of a Quadratic
axis of symmetry
x-intercepts
y-intercept
vertex
Standard Form
Written in standard form:
y = ax + bx + c
helpful to find the x and y intercepts
a and b are known values
(a)
can never be 0
tells us the direction of which the parabola opens;
negative opens down, positive up
(c)
y value of the y-intercept
x is the variable or unknown
EXAMPLE:
2x + 5x + 3 = 0
In this, a = 2, b = 5, c =3 and y = 0
 Factored Form To find x coordinate of
the vertex:
Written in this form:
(r+s) / 2
y = a(x - r)(x - s) To find y-intercepex
Helps in finding quadratic roots or vertex (a)(r)(s)
If a quadratic is in factored form:
The x-intercepts are r and s
The x-intercepts can be used to determine
the vertex co-ordinates
If the vertex is the x-intercept there is 1 instead of 2
x remains a variable in this form

EXAMPLE:
y = (x - 2)(x + 9)
r = -2 s = 9
Vertex
The vertex of a parabola shows the highest or lowest Using the two x-

(maximum or minimum) point of a parabola. intercepts we can find

At the vertex we are at an equal distance from both x- the vertex (r and s)

intercepts of the graph. Use the formula:

The axis of symmetry passes in a straight line through the y = a (x - r) + s

vertex.
Axis of Symmetry
The axis of symmetry through the parabola is the vertical
line through the vertex
The AOS divides the parabola in two equal halves
All parabolas have exactly one axis of symmetry
Defined by the equation: x = (r + s) / 2
Here r and s are the x-intercepts
X-Intercepts (aka zeros)
The points where the parabola crosses the x -axis
They are the values of (x) when (y) = 0
Can be determined by setting (y) to 0 in a given quadratic equation
and solving
Y-Intercept
A point of a parabola on the y-axis
Has an x-coordinate value of 0
Can be determined by setting (x) to 0 in the factored
formula

FIND Y-INTERCEPT: y = 2(x + 4)(x - 1)

using a given quadratic y = 2(0 + 4)(0 - 1)
equation in factored form, y = 2(4)(-1)
and the x-intercepts, y = 2(-4)
determine y-intercept by y = -8
setting (x) to 0
Finding Parts of
Quadratic
Fucntions
Steps to Finding the Vertex y = ax + bx + c

AXIS OF SYMMETRY: y = 2(x + 4)(x - 2)

using a given quadratic equation
in factored form, and the x- x = (r + s) / 2
intercepts and plug into AOS x = (-4 + 2) / 2
formula. x = (-2) / 2
x = -1
FIND Y
using the given equation, y = 2(-1 + 4)(-1 - 2)
substitute (x) with the solution to y = 2(3)(-3)
the first part and solve y = 2(-9)
y = -18

Vertex = (-1, 18)

Finding Equation of the Parabola y = ax + bx + c

FIND A:
EXAMPLE:
use the the coordinates of
r = -1
the y-intercept to find 'a'
s=2
by plugging them into (x)
h = (0, -2)
and (y) and the x-
intercepts into (r) and (s):
y = a(x - r)(x - s)
y = a (x - r)(x - s)
-2 = a(0 + 1)(0 - 2)
-2 = a(1)(-2)
FIND BASE EQUATION:
-2 = a (2)
use the x-intercepts on the
-1 = a
graph and (a) that was
found in the first step and
y = a(x - r)(x - s)
plug them into the same
y = -1(x + 1)(x - 2)
formula
(x) and (y) remain variables
that can be changed
 Factored to Standard Form
FACTORED FORM:
EXAMPLES:
y = a (x - r)(x - s)
y = (x - 3)(x + 2)
y = x - 3x + 2x - 6
STANDARD FORM:
y=x -x-6
y = ax + bx + c
y = 3(x - 2)
Apply distributive property y = 3(x - 2)(x - 2)
to the equation to expand y = (3x - 6)(x - 2)
the binomials twice y = 3x - 12x + 12
Exponent law for
multiplying powers with the y = 2(x + 4)(x - 1)
same base; ADD exponents y = (2x + 8)(x - 1)
If (a) has a value, distribue y = 2x - 2x + 8x - 8
into the first section only y = 2x + 6x - 8 Be careful not to
multiply by (a) twice!