The Vertex Form of a Quadratic Function

There are two ways to represent a quadratic function using an equation:

1. Standard form: (𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 or 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

2. Vertex Form: (𝑥) = (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘 or 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘

Steps in Transforming the Standard Form of a Quadratic Equation into Vertex Form

When 𝒂 ≠ 𝟏:

Example 1: Write the quadratic function 𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟔𝒙 − 𝟓 in vertex form.

1. Group together the terms containing 𝑥.

𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟔𝒙 − 𝟓
𝑦 = (2𝑥2 + 16𝑥) – 5

2. Factor out 𝑎 from the expression inside the parenthesis.

𝑦 = 2(𝑥2 + 8𝑥) − 5

3. Get the square of the half of 𝑏 then add it to the expression inside the parenthesis. At the same
time, multiply 𝑎 with the square of the half of 𝑏 and subtract it from the constant.

4. Factor the expression inside the parenthesis which is a perfect square trinomial.
𝑦 = 2(𝑥 + 4)2 − 37

Therefore, the vertex form of 𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟔𝒙 − 𝟓 is 𝒚 = (𝒙 + 𝟒) − 𝟑𝟕

When 𝒂 = 𝟏:

Example 2: Write the quadratic function 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟗 in vertex form.

1. Group together the terms containing 𝑥.

𝑦 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟗
𝑦 = (𝑥2 − 10𝑥) + 19
 2. Get the square of the half of 𝑏 then add it to the expression inside the parenthesis. At the same
time, subtract it from the constant.

3. Factor the expression inside the parenthesis which is a perfect square trinomial.
𝑦 = 2(𝑥 + 4)2 – 37

Therefore, the vertex form of 𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟔𝒙 − 𝟓 is 𝒚 = (𝒙 + 𝟒) – 𝟑𝟕

Transforming the vertex form of a quadratic equation into standard form is easier than transforming
from standard form to vertex form. Here, all we have to do is to expand the quadratic function and then
simplify.

Example 3: Write the quadratic function 𝒚 = (𝒙 − 𝟓) − 𝟔 in standard form.

Expand the given function and simplify:

𝒚 = (𝒙 − 𝟓)𝟐 − 𝟔

𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 10𝑥 + 25 − 6

𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 10𝑥 + 19

Therefore, the standard form of 𝒚 = (𝒙 − 𝟓) − 𝟔 is 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟗.