9

XVII
TRANSFORMING QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS
FROM GENERAL FORM TO VERTEX FORM
(vice versa)
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LESSON
TRANSFORMING QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS FROM GENERAL FORM TO
VERTEX FORM (vice versa)

Start this module by assessing your knowledge of the perfect

square trinomial and square of a binomial. These knowledge and
skills will help you answer the proceeding activities easily. As you
go through this module, think of this important questions: “How to
transform quadratic functions from general form to vertex
form?” “What is the importance of transforming quadratic
functions from general form to vertex form?” To find the
answer, perform each activity. If you find any difficulty in answering
the exercises, seek the assistance of your teacher or peers or refer
to the modules you have gone over earlier.

Transforms the quadratic function

defined by y = ax2+bx+c into the form
y = a(x-h)2+k

Quadratic Function - a second-degree function of the form

f(x) = ax2 + bx + c, where a, b,
and c are real numbers and a ≠ 0.
This is a function which describes a polynomial
of degree 2.
Perfect Square Trinomial – a trinomial whose first and last terms are
perfect squares and whose middle term is
twice the product of the first and last terms.
Examples: x2 + 4x + 4,
x2 - 6x + 9, 4x2 + 12x + 9
- A trinomial that can be written as a square
of a binomial. Examples: x2 + 4x + 4 =
(x+2)2
x2 - 6x + 9 = (x-3)2, 4x2 + 12x + 9 =(2x+3)2

Vertex form (standard form) - a quadratic function in the form

y = a(x-h)2+k, where h and k are the vertex of the graph of the function.
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Direction: I. Determine a number that must be added to make

each of the following a perfect square trinomial.
1. x2 + 6x + __ 2. x2 - 16x + __ 3. x2 - 5x + __

II. Express each perfect square trinomial as a square of a binomial.

1. x2 - 12x + 36 = _______________
2. x2 +18x + 81= ________________

Were you able to answer the activity? I’m

sure you did it! From the activity, you were
able to make perfect square trinomials as
well as expressing Perfect square trinomial
to square of binomials. These knowledge
and skills will help you perform the next
section.

The general form of a quadratic function is 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 +

𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐. In your next activity, the standard form or vertex form
𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘 will be introduced. The standard form will
be more convenient to use when working on problems involving
the vertex of the graph of a quadratic function.

Let me show to you the process on

how to transform 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 into
𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘. I hope you can follow
me.

Solution: 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 Steps:
1. Group together the terms
1. 𝑦 = (𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥) + 𝑐
containing x
𝑏
2. 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 2 + 𝑥) + 𝑐 2. Factor out a
𝑎
𝑏 𝑏2 𝑏2 3. Complete the expression in
3. 𝑦 = 𝑎 (𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + ) + 𝑐 − parenthesis to make it a perfect
𝑎 4𝑎2 4𝑎 square trinomial
𝑏 2 4𝑎𝑐 − 𝑏2 4. Express the perfect square
4. 𝑦 = 𝑎 (𝑥 + ) + trinomial as square of a binomial
2𝑎 4𝑎
𝑏 4𝑎𝑐−𝑏 2
5. 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ )2 + 𝑘 5. Let ℎ = − 2𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘 = 4𝑎

Hence 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 is transformed to 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ )2 + 𝑘 .

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Let’s try another one but this time we will

work with a quadratic function whose values
of a, b, and c are given. Come on let’s do
this!

Rewrite 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 – 10 in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ )2 + 𝑘.

Here 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = −4, 𝑐 = −10

Solution 1: By completing the square:

𝑦 = ( 𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 ) − 10 Group together the terms containing 𝑥.

𝑦 = ( 𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 ) − 10 Factor out 𝑎. Here 𝑎 = 1.
𝑦 = ( 𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 + 4) − 10 – 4 Compete the expression in parenthesis to
make it a perfect square trinomial by
−4
adding a constant ( )2 = 4 and
2
subtracting the same value from the
constant term.
𝑦 = ( 𝑥 – 2)2 – 14 Simplify and express the perfect square
trinomial as square of binomial.
Where ℎ = 2 and 𝑘 = −14

Can you transform a quadratic

function from general to vertex
form by using a formula? What
do you think is the formula to be
used?

Solution 2:

−𝑏 4𝑎𝑐−𝑏 2
By applying the formula ℎ = and 𝑘 =
2𝑎 4𝑎
In the equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 – 10, 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = −4 and 𝑐 = −10. Thus,

−𝑏 −(−4) 4
ℎ = ℎ = ℎ = ℎ = 2
2𝑎 2(1) 2

4𝑎𝑐−𝑏 2 4(1)(−10)−(−4)2 −40−16

𝑘 = 4𝑎
𝑘 = 4(1)
𝑘 = 4
𝑘 = −14

By substituting the solved value of h and k in 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘,

we obtain 𝑦 = ( 𝑥 – 2)2 – 14.
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Now it’s your turn to do the transforming,

cheer up you can do it right!

Transform the given quadratic function into the form

𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 – ℎ )2 + 𝑘 by following the steps.

1. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 6
2. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2

Very good! You did it right! You can now proceed to the next activity. This is exciting,
are you ready?

If we transform quadratic
functions in general form into
vertex form, do you think we can
also transform from vertex form
into general form?

Let`s rewrite the previous example to it`s

original form by reversing the process.
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Rewrite the function y = ( x – 2)2 - 14 in general form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

𝑦 = ( 𝑥 – 2)2 − 14 Expand (𝑥 – 2)2

𝑦 = ( 𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 + 4) − 14 (𝑥 – 2)2 = (𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 + 4)
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 + (4 − 14 ) Simplify and subtract −14.
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 – 10

Transform the given quadratic function into the form

𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 by following the steps.

Amazing! You`re doing great! You

can now proceed with the next
activity.

EVALUATION:
Directions:

I. Transform the following functions from general to

vertex form.

a. 𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 4𝑥 − 12 b. 𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + 14

II. Transform the following from vertex form to

general form.

a. 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 3)2 − 12 b. 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 2)2 + 2
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This time, share to the class your final insights by

answering the following questions below.

1. What have you learned in today lesson?

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2. How your knowledge in your previous lessons have helped you transforming
quadratic function from general form into vertex form and vice versa?
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