Graphing Quadratic

Expressions-
The a, b, c’s of quadratic graphs
Objectives

Graphing quadratics which include:

● the axis of symmetry,
● the y intercept,
● the vertex,
● and roots on the parabolic curve.
Parts of the quadratic graph
AXIS OF SYMMETRY

ROOTS/ x-
intercept

Y - INTERCEPT
VERTEX/ TURNING
POINT
a
ax2 + bx + c
“a” can be found in both the standard
and vertex forms of the quadratic.
a (x +h)2 + k

The value of ‘a’ indicates to us whether

the parabola has a:

maximum turning point ( frown - opens

downward)

Or a minimum turning point (smile -

opens upward)
c
C- is the value of y where the curve passes
through the y- axis. At this point y = c

This is called the y- intercept.

The coordinates of the y- intercept is (0, c)

C is found only in the standard form of the

quadratic.

ax2 + bx + c
 h

The value of h is found in the vertex form of the

x= - h
quadratic equation

a (x +h)2 + k
-h
The value of -h indicates:

● The x coordinate of the turning point. ( -h, k)

● x= - h is the equation of the axis of
symmetry
k

The value of k is found in the vertex form of the

quadratic equation

a (x +h)2 + k

The value of k indicates:

● The minimum or maximum value k

● The y coordinate of the turning point -
 x- intercepts
The x - intercepts are also called the roots of the quadratic.

They indicate to us the values of x where the curve meets the x axis.

These are easily found by SOLVING the quadratic in intercept form.

However, if the intercept form cannot be found easily we can use the quadratic
formula or solve the vertex form of the quadratic instead.

NB. If the roots are imaginary, the curve does NOT pass through the x axis at all.

x=m x=n
More on roots

You can also check:

https://www.onlinemath4all.com/na
ture-of-the-roots-of-a-quadratic-eq
uation.html

To review the Nature of Roots.

Remember the quadratic x2 + 5x + 6
You should have realised that:

x2 + 5x + 6 = ( x + 3) ( x + 2) = (x + 5/2 )2 - ¼

Which of these graphs represents this quadratic?

Remember……