The Graph of a

Quadratic
Function
Quadratic Functions
Mr. Rolando B. Magat,
Jr.
MAT - Math
The graph of quadratic function f(x) = ax
2
+ bx + c is
the same as the graph of the quadratic equation
y = ax
2
+ bx + c.
Properties of the Graph of f(x) = ax
2
+ bx + c
1. If a is positive, then the parabola opens upward.
2. If a is negative, then the parabola opens
downward.
Graph of a Quadratic Function
b
2a

2
4ac b
4a

3. The vertex has an x coordinate of and

y coordinate of .
Properties of the Graph of f(x) = ax
2
+ bx + c
4. The axis of symmetry is the vertical line .
b
x
2a

Graph of a Quadratic Function
6. If x = h, then it is called the axis of symmetry
and if y = k, then it is called the highest or
lowest value of the function.

b
h
2a
2
4ac b
k
4a

5. The highest or lowest point of a parabola is the

vertex of the parabola denoted by an
ordered pair (h, k) where
Properties of the Graph of f(x) = ax
2
+ bx + c
Graph of a Quadratic Function
Graph the function f(x) = x
2
+ 4x 5. Determine
the vertex, the axis of symmetry, the
highest/lowest value, and the direction of the
opening of the parabola.
Example:
Graph of a Quadratic Function
Solution:
Step 1: Determine the coordinates of the vertex.
f(x) = x
2
+ 4x 5
a = 1; b = 4; c = -5
2
b 4ac b
Vertex ,
2a 4a

2
4 4(1)( 5) (4)
,
2(1) 4(1)
= (-2, -9)
Graph of a Quadratic Function
Step 2: Construct the table of values.
-3
-4
-1
0
-5
-8
This is the vertex of the
parabola.
(-2, -9)
-2 -9
-8
-5
(-4, -5)
(-3, -8)
(-1, -8)
(0, -5)
= (-4)
2
+ 4(-4) 5
= (-3)
2
+ 4(-3) 5
= (-1)
2
+ 4(-1) 5
= (0)
2
+ 4(0) 5
Graph of a Quadratic Function
Step 3: Plot and connect the given points
in the Cartesian plane.
Direction: Upward
Vertex: (-2, -9)
Axis of Symmetry: x = -2
Highest/Lowest Value: -9
Graph of a Quadratic Function
Problem Set:
A. Determine the direction of the opening of the
graph, the vertex, axis of symmetry and the
highest/lowest value for each of the following
quadratic functions.
B. Sketch the graph of the quadratic function f(x) =
x
2
8x + 16 and determine the direction of the
opening of the graph, the vertex, axis of symmetry
and the maximum/minimum value.
Graph of a Quadratic Function