Quadratic Equations Cheat Sheet

When graphed on the coordinate plane, a quadratic equation produces a ​parabola​.

Standard Form​: y = ax​2​ + bx + c
Vertex Form​: y = a(x - h)​2​ + k, where (h, k) is the vertex
Factored Form​: y = a(x - r​1​)(x - r​2​) where (r​1​, 0) and (r​2​, 0) are x-intercepts/solutions

Vertex ​- The highest or lowest point of a parabola Axis of Symmetry ​- A vertical line
- Leading coefficient (a)> 0 → vertex is a minimum passing through the vertex that
- Leading coefficient (a) < 0 → vertex is a maximum cuts the parabola in half.
x = −b2a

By Hand In the Calculator

Use​ x = −b
to find the x Enter the equation into
2a
coordinate, then re-substitute Y=​. ​CALC →
into the original equation to 3: Minimum​ or
find the corresponding y 4: Maximum
coordinate.

Discriminant - ​Tells how many solutions a quadratic equation has (i.e. how many times the
parabola crosses the x-axis). d < 0 → no solution
d = b​2​ – 4ac​ d > 0 → 2 solutions
d = 0 → 1 solution

Solving Quadratic Equations​ - X-coordinates at which the parabola crosses the x-axis
Factoring Quadratic Formula Graphing
Factor the equation, then set Enter equation in ​Y=​. Adjust
each binomial equal to zero. window to see all x-intercepts.
−b ± √b2 − 4ac
Solve for x in those two
equations.
x= 2a
CALC → 2: Zero​ for both
intercepts.

Completing the Square

1. Group the x​2​ and x terms together in parenthesis.
2 2
2. Add ( b2 ) inside the parenthesis and subtract ( b2 ) behind the parenthesis.
3. Factor the trinomial in the parenthesis to write as a squared binomial.
4. Combine the constants after the squared binomial.