QUADRATIC GRAPHS EXPLORATION

Name: Manu M

Each of the lines drawn below has an equation of the form

y=a(x−h)2 +k . Recreate the graphs using your CAS by experimenting
with different values for a, h and k. Record your findings for each set of
graphs, including any patterns you notice and the equations you use,
in the spaces beside each graph set.

y=a(x−0)2 +0 = downward
parabola
y=a(x +0)2−0 = upward parabola

if a is decimal ( e . g . 0.25 ,−0.25 ) ,it

it widens the parabola

y= 0.25 (x+0)2 +3
y= 0.25 (x+0)2 +2
y= 0.25 (x+0)2 +1
y= 0.25 (x+0)2 +0
y= 0.25 (x+0)2 -1
y= 0.25 (x+0)2 -2
y= 0.25 (x+0)2 -3
y= -0.25 (x+0)2 +3
y= -0.25 (x+0)2 +2
y= -0.25 (x+0)2 +1
y= -0.25 (x+0)2 +0
y= -0.25 (x+0)2 -1
y= -0.25 (x+0)2 -2
y= -0.25 (x+0)2 -3
y= -0.25 (x+0)2 -0
y= 1 (x-1)2 +0
y= 1 (x-3)2 +0
y= 1 (x-5)2 +0
y= 1 (x+1)2 +0
y= 1 (x+3)2 +0
y= 1 (x+5)2 +0

y= 1 (x-1)2 +1
y= 1 (x-2)2 +1
y= 1 (x-3)2 +1
y= 1 (x-4)2 +1
y= 1 (x-5)2 +1

- The greater the first value, the

narrower the parabola
- The second value inside the brackets
determines the parabola’s “base”
position on the x-axis.
- The second value of the equation
determines the parabola’s position
on the y-axis.
Answer the following questions using your results:

a. What effect does the constant a have on the graph of a quadratic function with rule
y=a(x−1)2+ 3?

b. What effect does the constant h have on the graph of a quadratic function with rule
y=2( x−h)2+ 3?

c. What effect does the constant k have on the graph of a quadratic function with rule
y=2( x−1)2 +k?
d. What is special about the point given by (h, k) on the graph of a quadratic function with
rule y=a(x−h)2 +k?

e. If a function is defined by the rule y=a(x−b)( x−c), what can be said about the value of
the function when either x = b or x = c?