1.

2 Graphing Quadratic Functions

In Vertex or Intercept Form

• Definitions
• 2 more forms for a quad. function
• Steps for graphing Vertex and Intercept
• Examples
• Changing between eqn. forms
Vertex Form Equation
y=a(x-h)2+k
• If a is positive, parabola opens up
If a is negative, parabola opens down.
• The vertex is the point (h,k).
• The axis of symmetry is the vertical line
x=h.
• Don’t forget about 1 point on either side
of the vertex! (3 points total!)
Example 2: Graph
y=-½(x+3)2+4 y=a(x-h)2+k
• a is negative (a = -½), so parabola opens down.
• Vertex is (h,k) or (-3,4)
• Axis of symmetry is the vertical line x = -3
• Table of values x y
-1 2
Vertex (-3,4)
-2 3.5
-3 4 (-4,3.5) (-2,3.5)

-4 3.5 (-5,2) (-1,2)

-5 2

x=-3
 Now you try one!
y=a(x-h)2+k

y=2(x-1)2+3

• Open up or down?
• Vertex?
• Axis of symmetry?
• Table of values with 3 points?
(-1, 11) (3,11)

X=1

(0,5) (2,5)

(1,3)
Civil Engineering
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge in
Washington has two towers
that each rise 307 feet above
the roadway and are
connected by suspension
cables as shown. Each cable
can be modeled by the
function.
y= 1 (x – 1400)2 + 27
7000
where x and y are measured in feet. What is the
distance d between the two towers ?
SOLUTION

The vertex of the parabola is (1400, 27).

So, a cable’s lowest point is 1400 feet from
the left tower shown above. Because the
heights of the two towers are the same,
the symmetry of the parabola implies that
the vertex is also 1400 feet from the right
tower. So, the distance between the two
towers is d = 2 (1400) = 2800 feet.
Intercept Form Equation
y=a(x-p)(x-q)

• The x-intercepts are the points (p,0) and (q,0).

• The axis of symmetry is the vertical line x= p 2 q
• The x-coordinate of the vertex is 2
pq

• To find the y-coordinate of the vertex, plug the

x-coord. into the equation and solve for y.
• If a is positive, parabola opens up
If a is negative, parabola opens down.
 Example 3: Graph y=-(x+2)(x-4)
y=a(x-p)(x-q)
• Since a is negative, •The axis of symmetry
parabola opens down. is the vertical line x=1
• The x-intercepts are (from the x-coord. of
(-2,0) and (4,0) the vertex)
• To find the x-coord.
(1,9)
of the vertex, use p 2 q
24 2
x  1
2 2
• To find the y-coord.,
plug 1 in for x. (-2,0) (4,0)
y  (1  2)(1  4)  (3)( 3)  9
x=1
• Vertex (1,9)
Now you try one!
y=a(x-p)(x-q)

y=2(x-3)(x+1)

• Open up or down?
• X-intercepts?
• Vertex?
• Axis of symmetry?
 x=1

(-1,0) (3,0)

(1,-8)
 Football

The path of a placekicked

football can be modeled by the
function y = – 0.026x(x – 46)
where x is the horizontal
distance (in yards) and y is the
corresponding height (in yards).

a. How far is the football kicked ?

b. What is the football’s maximum height ?

 SOLUTION
a. Rewrite the function as y = – 0.026(x – 0)(x – 46).
Because p = 0 and q = 46, you know the x -
intercepts are 0 and 46. So, you can conclude
that the football is kicked a distance of 46 yards.

b. To find the football’s maximum height,

calculate the coordinates of the vertex.
 WHAT IF? In Example 4, what is the
maximum height of the football if the
football’s path can be modeled by the
function y = – 0.025x(x – 50)?
SOLUTION
a. Rewrite the function as y = – 0.025(x – 0)
(x – 50). Because p = 0 and q = 50, you
know the x - intercepts are 0 and 50. So,
you can conclude that the football is
kicked a distance of 50 yards.
b. To find the football’s maximum height,
calculate the coordinates of the vertex.
The maximum height is the y-coordinate
of the vertex, or about 15.625 yards.
 Changing from vertex or intercepts
form to standard form
• The key is to FOIL! (first, outside, inside,
last)
• Ex: y=-(x+4)(x-9) Ex: y=3(x-1)2+8
=-(x2-9x+4x-36) =3(x-1)(x-1)+8
=-(x2-5x-36) =3(x2-x-x+1)+8
y=-x2+5x+36 =3(x2-2x+1)+8
=3x2-6x+3+8
y=3x2-6x+11
 Change from intercept form
to standard form
Write y = – 2 (x + 5) (x – 8) in standard form.
y = – 2 (x + 5) (x – 8) Write original function.

= – 2 (x 2 – 8x + 5x – 40) Multiply using FOIL.

= – 2 (x 2 – 3x – 40) Combine like terms.
= – 2x 2 + 6x + 80 Distributive property
 Change from vertex form to
standard form
Write f (x) = 4 (x – 1)2 + 9 in standard form.

f (x) = 4(x – 1)2 + 9 Write original function.

= 4(x – 1) (x – 1) + 9 Rewrite (x – 1)2.
= 4(x 2 – x – x + 1) + 9 Multiply using FOIL.
= 4(x 2 – 2x + 1) + 9 Combine like terms.

= 4x – 8x + 4 + 9
2 Distributive property
= 4x 2 – 8x + 13 Combine like terms.
 Assignment

p. 15,
3-39 every 3rd problem
(3,6,9,12,…)