Quadratic

Functions and
their Basic
Properties

There are many Functions that are not

linear. For example, consider the
function defined by the equation
y=x2. Draw the graph of this function
by first completing the table of values
below, and connecting the points that
you obtain.
x
y

-3

-2

-1

Since the equation is not linear, do not

connect the points with straight line
segments, but with smooth curves. When
you are done, you will have something like
this:

This curve is called a parabola, whose shape

is similar to the capital letter U with its sides
more spread out. Curves like this represent
quadratic functions. Quadratic functions are
functions defined by equations of the form
y=ax2+bx+c, where a, b, and c are
constants and a0. Why is a required to be

Equations of Quadratic Function

The equation y=ax2+bx+c may be
written in the alternative form y=a(xh)2+k. The following example shows
how to transform the equation
y=ax2+bx+c, which is called the
standard form of the equation of a
quadratic function, into the equivalent
form y=a(x-h)2+k, which is sometimes
called the vertex form of the equation.
The point (h, k) is called the vertex of
the graph of the function. The
conversion uses the method of

Example:
Convert the equation y=2x2-4x+3 to
the standard form.
1. Factor out a=2 from the first two
terms.
y=2(x2-2x)+3
2. Complete the square of the quadratic
polynomial inside the parentheses by
adding 1 (1 is the square of -1, which is
one-half of the coefficient -1 of the
linear term -2x). Since this polynomial is
multiplied by the factor a=2 outside,
you actually added 2; so balance this by
adding -1 to the constant term 3
outside the parentheses.
y = 2(x2-2x+1)+3 - 2 = 2(x-1)2+1

To find the coordinates (h, k) of the

vertex, with the quadratic function
given:

The vertex is the lowest (highest)

point on the graph of a quadratic
function when a0 (a0).
1. When a0, the minimum value of
the function is k.
2. When a0, the maximum value of
the function is k.

Intercepts of the Graphs of Quadratic

Function
If the equation of a quadratic function
is in the standard form y=ax2+bx+c,
then
1. the parabola intersects the y-axis at
the point (0, c)The coordinates are
obtained by letting x=0 and solving y
in the equation y=ax2+bx+c.
2. the x-coordinates of the point(s)
where the parabola intersects the xaxis is (are) called the x-intercept(s)
of the parabola. Since at these points,
the value of y is zero, the x-intercepts

Exercises
:
Do all parabolas have xintercepts? How many xintercepts can a parabola have?
When does a parabola have two
x-intercepts? one x-intercepts?
no x-intercept? Can a parabola
have more than two x-intercepts?
Why or why not?