Obj.

5 Vertex Form
Unit 2 Quadratic Functions
Concepts and Objectives
Vertex Form (Obj. #5)
Graph a quadratic function using the vertex form
Completing the Square
Use the completing the square method to determine
the vertex of a quadratic function

Quadratic Functions
A function f is a quadratic function if

where a, b, and c are real numbers, and a = 0.

The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola whose
shape and position are determined by a, b, and c.




( )
= + +
2
f x ax bx c
Vertex Form
The graph of g(x) = ax
2
is a parabola with vertex at the
origin that opens up if a is positive and down if a is
negative. The magnitude of a determines the width of
the parabola.
The vertex form of a quadratic function is written

The graph of this function is the same as that of g(x)
translated ,h, units horizontally and ,k, units vertically.
This means that the vertex of F is at (h, k) and the axis of
symmetry is x = h.
( ) ( )
= +
2
F x a x h k
Vertex Form
Example: Graph the function and give its domain and
range.

( ) ( )
= +
2 1
4 3
2
F x x
Vertex Form
Example: Graph the function and give its domain and
range.


Compare to : h = 4 and k = 3 (Notice
the signs!)
Vertex: (4, 3), axis of symmetry x = 4
We can graph this function by graphing the base
function and then shifting it.
( ) ( )
= +
2 1
4 3
2
F x x
( ) ( )
= +
2
F x a x h k
Vertex Form
Example, cont.:

Lets consider the graph of

Vertex is at (0, 0)
Passes through (2, 2) and
(4, 8).
(I picked 2 and 4 because of
the half.)


( )
=
2
1
2
g x x
Vertex Form
Example, cont.:

To graph F, we just shift everything over 4 units to the
right and 3 units up.

Domain: (, )
Range: (, 3] or y s 3

Binomial Squares
The basic pattern for expanding a binomial square is


For example, . Likewise, we can
take a trinomial and turn it into a binomial square if it
fits the pattern.
( )
= +
2
2 2
2 a b a ab b
( )
= +
2
2
5 10 25 x x x
+ + = + +
2 2 2
12 36 12 6 x x x x
( )
= +
2
6 x
Completing the Square
If we are given a function that is not in vertex form, we
can complete the square to transform it into vertex
form. We do this by taking advantage of the additive
identify property (a + 0 = a).
For example, the function is not a
binomial square. We can add 0 in the form of 5
2
5
2
,
and group the parts that make a binomial square:
( )
= + +
2 2 2
10 5 5 30 f x x x
( )
= +
2
10 30 f x x x
( )
= + +
2 2 2
10 5 5 30 x x
( )
= +
2
5 5 x
Completing the Square
Example: What is the vertex of the function?
( )
= +
2
6 7 f x x x
Completing the Square
Example: What is the vertex of the function?





The vertex is at (3, 2).

( )
= +
2
6 7 f x x x
( )
+ + =
2 2 2
3 7 3 6 x x
( )
= +
2
3 9 7 x
( )
=
2
3 2 x
Practice
Find the vertex by completing the square.

1. f(x) = x
2
+8x + 5

2. g(x) = x
2
5x + 8

3. h(x) = 3x
2
+ 12x 5
Practice
1. f(x) = x
2
+8x + 5




The vertex is at (4, 11).

( )
( )
+ = + +
2 2 2
8 4 4 5 f x x x
( )
= + +
2
4 16 5 x
( )
= +
2
4 11 x
Practice
2. g(x) = x
2
5x + 8







The vertex is at
( )
| |
= +
|
|
\
| | | |
+
| |
. \ .
.
\
2
2 2
5
2 2
5 8
5
g x x x
| |
= + +
|
\ .
2
5 25
8
2 4
x
| |
=
|
\ .
32
8
4
| |
= + +
|
\ .
2
5 25 32
2 4 4
x
| |
= + +
|
\ .
2
5 7
2 4
x
| |

|
\ .
5 7
,
2 4
Practice
3. h(x) = 3x
2
+ 12x 5





The vertex is at (2, 17).
( )
( )
= +
2
4 5 3 h x x x
( ) ( )
= + +
2 2 2
2 4 5 3 2 3 x x
( )
= +
2
3 2 12 5 x
( )
= + 3 2 17 x
Homework
Page 313: 15-25 (5), 40, 50, 53