GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC

FUNCTIONS
 A quadratic function is one of the form:
 f(x) = ax2 + bx + c,
where a, b, and c are numbers with a not equal to zero

Note: for a function to be quadratic the highest power

of any variable must be two.

WHAT IS A QUADRATIC FUNCTION

 Based on the definition are the following quadratic
functions?  f(x) = ax2 + bx + c,
 f(x) = 3x2 – 4
 g(x) = x2 + 7x +1
 h(x) =5x + 3
 F(x)= 2x2
 THE GRAPHS OF QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS

 The graph of a quadratic function is called a

parabola. Parabolas are curved shaped.
 In graphs of quadratic functions, the sign on the
coefficient a affects whether the graph opens up or
down.
 If a<0, the graph makes a frown (opens down)
Example -2x2-5x +3
If a>0 then the graph makes a smile (opens up).
Example 4x2- 4x +3
 1. Vertex
One important feature of the parabola is that it has an extreme point, called the
vertex. If the parabola opens up, the vertex represents the lowest point on the
graph, or the minimum point of the quadratic function. If the parabola opens
down, the vertex represents the highest point on the graph, or the maximum
point. In either case, the vertex is a turning point on the graph.

FEATURES OF A QUADRATIC
FUNCTION
 Maximum Point = (x,y)

Maximum point = ( 2 ,
6)

Maximum value(y value)

VERTEX:
Maximum valueMAXIMUM
= POINT
 Minimum Point = (x,y)

Minimum Point = ( , )

Minimum value(y value)

VERTEX:
Minimum value = MINIMUM POINT
 Axis of Symmetry Axis of symmetry
X=axis
Parabolas also have an axis of symmetry, which is parallel to the y-axis. The ? of symmetry is a
vertical line drawn through the vertex.
Equation Of The
Axis Of symmetry
X=1
NAME THE AXIS OF SYMMETRY
3. y-intercept
The y-intercept is the point at which the parabola crosses the y-axis. There cannot be more than one
such point, for the graph of a quadratic function. If there were, the curve would not be a function, as
there would be two y values for one x value, at zero.
WHAT IS THE Y INTERCEPT HERE?
4. x-intercepts
The x-intercepts are the points at which the parabola crosses the x-axis. If they exist, the x-intercepts
represent the roots, of the quadratic function, the values of x at which y=0. There may be zero, one, or
two x-intercepts.
WHAT IS/ARE MY ROOTS?
WHAT ARE MY ROOTS?
!!!!!! WILD CARD !!!!!
 TO DRAW A QUADRATIC GRAPH WE FIRST NEED THE FUNCTION
THAT REPRESENTS THAT GRAPH.

 EG f(x) = x2

 Then, we will need the range and domain values for the graph.

DRAWING A QUADRATIC GRAPH

 Range = Y values

Domain = x values

Only the domain will be given

when you are asked to plot a graph.
Your job will be to find the range.

Domain

RECOGNIZING RANGE AND DOMAIN -4 ≤ x ≤ 2

DETERMINE THE DOMAIN OF THE FOLLOWING
GRAPHS