UNIT 8: SOLVING AND GRAPHING QUADRATICS

8-1 Factoring to Solve Quadratic Equations

Zero Product Property Solve each equation:

For all numbers a & b

If: ab 0 , 1. (x + 3)(x 5) = 0

Then one of these is true:

1. a = 0,
2. b = 0,
3. Both a and b = 0

Steps
1. Make the equation
equal zero

2. Factor
2. 2 36 = 5
3. Set each factor equal to
zero

4. Solve

5. Check

3. 2 24 = 144

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 8-2 Solving Quadratic Equations (By Finding Square Roots)

Solve.
To Solve Quadratic Equations 1. x 2 = 36
by Finding Square Roots:

1. Get x 2 term alone on one

side of equal sign.

2. Square root both sides of

25
the equation. 2. 2 =
64
3. Make sure to have BOTH
the positive and negative
solution!

4. Always write answer in

simplest radical form!
3. x 2 + 1 = 82

4. 3x 2 + 11 = 779

5. x 2 21 = 25

6. (x 2)2 = 25

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 8-3 Completing the Square

Solve each equation by completing the square:

You can solve some quadratic 1. x 2 + 12x + 36 = 5
equations by taking the square root
of each side:

But, you wont always have a perfect

square.So, you will have to
complete the Square!

Steps to completing the square

1. Get the constant alone on one 2. x 2 6x + 8 = 0

side & make sure the coefficient
of x 2 is one.
2. Find of b (the coefficient of
x)

3. Square your result from step 2

4. Add the result to both sides of

the equation
3. n2 + 4n 9 = 0
5. Then solve by taking the
square root.

4. 3x 2 + 12x = 24

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5. x 5x 5 = 0

6. n - 7n - 2 = 0

7. 2x +3x -3 = 0

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 8-4 Using the Quadratic Formula (QF) and The Discriminant
Derive the Quadratic Formula
2 + + = 0

The discriminant b
2
4ac , can show how many solutions a quadratic equation has.
If b2 4ac >0 then there are two real roots
If b2 4ac <0 then there are no real roots
If b 4ac =0 then there is one real root
2

Without solving tell how many real solutions the following equations have.

1. x 2 + 6x + 8 = 0 2. 3x 2 x + 3 = 0

3. 3n2 8n = 0 4. n2 + 4n + 4 = 0

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 8-5 Using the Quadratic Formula

Use the quadratic formula to solve:

Quadratic Formula 1. x 2 + 6x + 8 = 0
If ax 2 bx c 0, a 0 , and
b 2 4ac 0, then

b b 2 4ac
x
2a

2. 2x 2 + 7x 15 = 0

3. 3n2 8n = 0

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4. 3x 2 x + 3 = 0

5. n2 4n 4 0

6. 7 2 3x 8 = 0

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 Graphing Quadratic Functions
Vocabulary
Quadratic function: A function that can be written in the standard form = 2 + + where 0
Parabola: The graph of a quadratic function = 2 + +
Vertex: The lowest of highest point on a parabola.
Axis of Symmetry: The line that divides a parabola into mirror images and passes through the vertex.
Vertex form: The form = ( )2 + , where the vertex of the graph is (h, K) and the axis of
symmetry is x = h.
Intercept form: The form = ( )( ), where the x intercepts of the graph are p and q.
Minimum value: The y coordinate of the vertex for = 2 + + when a > 0.
Maximum value: The y coordinate of the vertex for = 2 + + when a < 0.

8-6 Graphing Standard Form y = ax2 + c

Graphing Standard Form y = ax2 + c

Steps To graph any equation you can:
1. Choose 5 simple x - values
2. Substitute them in the function to find the matching 5 y - values
3. Graph the ordered pairs found and draw a parabola through the points.
4. Remember that if a > 0, then parabola opens up and if a < 0, then parabola opens down.

Practice:
1. y = 2x2 2. y = -x2 - 1

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 8-7 Graphing Standard Form y = ax2 +bx+ c
2
Steps for graphing = + +

1. Draw the axis of symmetry. It is the line = 2.

2. Find and plot the vertex. The x coordinate of the vertex is 2 . Substitute this value for x in the function
and evaluate to find the y coordinate of the vertex.
3. Plot two points on one side of the axis of symmetry. Use symmetry to plot two more points on the
opposite side.
4. Graph or draw a parabola through the points.

1. Graph y = 3x 2 + 6x 1
The function is in standard form = 2 + + where a = 3, b = 6, and c = -1. Because a > 0, the
parabola opens up.
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1. Draw the axis of symmetry = 2 = 2(3) = 1
2. Find and plot the vertex. The x coordinate of the vertex is -1. Find the y coordinate.
y = 3x 2 + 6x 1
y = 3(1)2 + 6(1) 1 = 4
The vertex is (-1, -4)
3. Plot two points to the left of the axis of symmetry. Evaluate the function for two x values that are less
than -1, such as -2 and -3.
y = 3(2)2 + 6(2) 1 = 1
y = 3(3)2 + 6(3) 1 = 8
Plot the points (-2, -1) and (-3, 8). Plot their mirror images by counting the distance to the axis of
symmetry and then counting the same distance beyond the axis of symmetry.
4. Draw a parabola through the points.

2. Graph = 2 6 + 5

Try This
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a. Graph = 2 2 + 4 3

b. Graph = 2 + 2 + 1

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 8-8 Vertex Form of a Quadratic Function

Steps to graphing = ( )2 +
1. Draw the axis of symmetry. It is the line x = h.
2. Plot the vertex, (h, k).
3. Plot two points on one side of the axis of symmetry. Use symmetry to plot two more points on the
opposite side.
4. Graph or draw a parabola through the points.

1. Graph = 2( 3)2 + 2
The function is in vertex form = ( )2 + where a = 2, h = 3 and k = 2. Because a > 0 the
parabola opens up.
1. Draw the axis of symmetry, x = h = 3
2. Plot the vertex (h, k) = (3, 2)
3. Plot points. The x values 1 and 2 are to the right of the axis of symmetry.
= 1: = 2(1 3)2 + 2 = 10
= 2: = 2(2 3)2 + 2 = 4
Plot the points (1, 10) and (2, 4).
Then plot their mirror images across the axis of symmetry.
4. Graph or draw a parabola through the points.

2. Graph = 2( 3)2 + 4
The function is in vertex form = ( )2 + where a = -2, h = 3 and k = 4. Because a < 0 the
parabola opens down.
1. Draw the axis of symmetry, x = h = 3
2. Plot the vertex (h, k) = (3, 4)
3. Plot points. The x values 1 and 2 are to the right of the axis of symmetry.
= 1: = 2(1 3)2 + 4 = 4
= 2: = 2(2 3)2 + 4 = 2
Plot the points (1, -4) and (2, 2).
Then plot their mirror images across the axis of symmetry.
4. Graph or draw a parabola through the points.

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Try This
a. = 2( 4)2 2

b. = ( 3)2 + 4

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 8-9 Intercept Form of a Quadratic Function

Steps for graphing = ( )( )

p+q
1. Draw the axis of symmetry. It is the line = 2
p+q
2. Find and plot the vertex. The x coordinate of the vertex is . Substitute this value for x in the function
2
to find the y coordinate of the vertex.
3. Plot the points where the x intercepts, p and q, occur.
4. Graph

1. Graph = ( 2)( 4)
The function is in intercept form = ( )( ) where a = -1, p = 2, and q = 4. Because a < 0, the
parabola opens down.
+ 2+4
1. Draw the axis of symmetry. = 2 = 2 = 3
2. Find and plot the vertex. The x coordinate of the vertex is x = 3. Calculate the y coordinate of the
vertex.
= ( 2)( 4)
= (3 2)(3 4) = 1
Plot the vertex (3, 1)
3. Plot the points where the x intercepts occur. The x intercepts are 2 and 4. Plot the points (2, 0) & (4, 0)
4. Graph

Try This
a. = ( 3)( + 1)

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b. = ( + 4)( 2)

Find the Minimum or Maximum Value

Tell whether the function = 2( + 4)( 2) has a minimum value or maximum value. Then find the
min or max values.
The function is in intercept form = ( )( ) where a = 2, p = -4, and q = 2. Because a > 0, the
function has a minimum value. Find the y coordinate of the vertex.
+ 4 + 2
= = = 1
2 2
= 2(1 + 4)(1 2) = 18
The minimum value of the function is -18.

Try This
a. = ( + 6)( 2)

b. = 3( 1)( 5)

c. = 4( 3)2 + 4

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