2.

Quadratic Functions

OBJECTIVES
SWBAT:
1) write a quadratic function given two points
2) Graph a quadratic function by finding the
vertex and intercepts
3) Convert a quadratic function from standard
form into vertex form
Lanugage Objective:
SWBAT write in complete sentences what the parts
of the vertex represent for a given word problem.

The parent function for quadratics is y = x2. This means

that all other quadratics are some variation of this basic
equation.
The vertex form of a quadratic is:

y a ( x h) 2 k

a0

In this equation the vertex is at (h,k)

Ex: State the vertex of the following quadratic:

y 3( x 5) 2
2

vertex is (5,2)

y a ( x h) 2 k

Given the following graph, write a quadratic equation in

vertex form.
2

y a ( x h) k
y a ( x 1) 2 2

0 a (2 1) 2 2
0 a(1) 2 2
Note: The vertex is at
(1,2) and the point (2,0)
is also on the graph.

0 1a 2
2 1a
2 a

y 2( x 1) 2
2

Plug in the
extra point
for x and y

y a ( x h) 2 k

Given the following graph, write a quadratic equation in

vertex form.
2

y a ( x h) k

y a ( x 2) 2 0
2 a(3 2) 2 0
2 a (1) 2
Note: The vertex is at
(2,0) and the point (3,2)
is also on the graph.

2 1a
2a

y 2( x 2) 0
2

Plug in the
extra point
for x and y

Many quadratics are not given to us in vertex form, but

instead in standard form:

y ax bx c
2

Ex: Write an equation for a quadratic that has x-intercepts

at 4 and 8.

x int : (4,0) and (8,0)

y ( x 4)( x 8)
2
y x 4 x 8 x 32
y x 12 x 32
2

x-ints written as factors

FOIL / Distribute

Combine like terms

y ax bx c
2

Now, if you are given this form you must be able to sketch
graphs.
To sketch a parabola you NEED at least the vertex,
x-intercepts, and y-intercept to graph it accurately.

To find the vertex:

b
x
2a
y plug in x from above to original equation

To find the x-intercepts: FACTOR = 0

To find the y-intercept: plug in 0 for x and solve!

Ex: Sketch the graph after finding all necessary points:

y x 2x 1
2

Vertex:

2
2

2(1)
2

So, vertex is at (-1,0)

y (1) 2 2(1) 1 0
X-intercepts are -1 and -1
(dont need to write the same
one twice)

X-intercepts:

( x 1)( x 1)

y-intercepts:

y (0) 2 2(0) 1 1 So, y-int at 1

Now we can sketch the graph

So, vertex is at (-1,0)

X-intercepts are -1

So, y-int at 1

Just plot the vertex and intercepts then

connect the dots!

Ex: Sketch the graph after finding all necessary points:

y x 12 x 20
2

Vertex:

12 12

2(1)
2

So, vertex is at (-6,-16)

y (6) 2 12(6) 20 16
X-intercepts:

y-intercepts:

( x 10)( x 2)

X-intercepts are -10 and -2

y (0) 2 12(0) 20 20 So, y-int at 20

Now we can sketch the graph

So, vertex is at (-6,-16) X-intercepts are -10,-2 So, y-int at 20

Just plot the vertex and intercepts then

connect the dots!

Ex: Just find the x-intercepts for this one for practice!

y x 10 x 19
2

Since this does not factor nicely, we have to use the

quadratic formula

b b 4ac
x
2a
2

10 10 2 4(1)(19)
x
2(1)
10 24
10 2 6
x

2
2

5 6

To graph these, put them in the calc to get a decimal

approx: xs = -2.5 and -7.4

The profit P (in dollars) for Ahmads record business is

P .0002 x 140 x 250,000

2

where x is the number of songs sold on iTunes.

How many songs will he have to sell to yield a maximum profit?
** maximum is the same as the vertex**

140
140
x

2(.0002)
.0004

350,000

So Ahmad would have to sell 350,000 songs to make the

maximum possible profit.
What is his maximum possible profit?

P .0002(350,000) 140(350,000) 250,000

P $24,250,000..... yikes! Don' t forget
favorite math teacher when you ' re famous!
2

The last thing you need to be able to do is covert from

standard to vertex form.
In order to do this we have to complete the square
Ex: Put the following into vertex form: y 2 x 2 8 x 7

y 2x 8x 7
2
y 7 2 x 8x
2

Move non x to other side

y 7 2( x 4 x)
2

Factor out the front number

4 )
y 7 ___
8 2( x 4 x ___
2

4 2 2, 2 2

y 7 8 2( x 4 x 4 )
2

y 1 2( x 2)

y 2( x 2) 1
2

Set up to complete a perfect square

Distribute the 2 before adding

To the other side.

Simply left, factor the right

Get y by itself again to finish!

Ex 2 : y x 6 x 8
2

y x 6x 8
2
y 8 x 6x
2

y 8 1( x 6 x)
2

Move non x to other side

Factor out the front number

y 8 ___ 1( x 6 x ___ )
2

6 2 3, (3) 2

y 8 9 1( x 6 x 9 )
2

y 1 1( x 3)

y 1( x 3) 1
2

Simply left, factor the right

Get y by itself again to finish!