Lesson 2

Drawing quadratic graphs (the parabola)

1. Graphs and how to draw graphs
A graph is a set of points of the Oxy plane that satisfy some relatioship between 𝑦 and
𝑥. The relationship is called a function.
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 is a linear function (order 1). We already known that the graph 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 +
𝑐 is a straight line.
So, 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 (𝑎 ≠ 0) is a quadratic function (order 2), what is its graph?
To draw a graph, a general way is to make a table of many values of 𝑥, calculate the
corresponding values of 𝑦. Then on the Oxy plane, define each point (𝑥, 𝑦) and connect
them.
Example 1.1:
Draw the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 1
We create a table of values as follows:
𝒙 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 3
𝟐
𝒚 = 𝒙 + 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏 7 2 -1 -2 -1 2 7

From this table of values, we can draw the following graph:

Comments:
- The graph will be drawn more accurately if there are more pairs of values (𝑥, 𝑦) in
the table.
- Calculating (𝑥, 𝑦) pairs takes a lot of time and effort.
1.1 Making a table of values using a handheld calculator
Here are the steps to make a table of values using the Casio fx-580VNX handheld
calculator
Step 1:

Step 2:

Press “8” to choose TABLE

mode.
Step 3:

You will be prompted by the calculator to enter

the graph’s function. Remember use the “x”
button and other buttons to enter the function.
For example, you put the function is 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 1
like it says in the picture. After that, you press
“=” to continue.

Step 4:

The calculator asks you to enter

another function. Since you are only
calculating the values of one function,
you press the “=” button to skip.

1.2 Ploting graphs using online graphing calculator

We may plot the graph of any function using one of many online graphing calculators
available. The drawing principle of these software is to make a table of values, determine
points (𝑥, 𝑦) on the 𝑂𝑥𝑦 plane and connect them. The graph is displayed with high
accuracy thanks to the online graphing calculator’s ability to calculate a very large
number of points.
One of the most widely used online graphing calculator is Desmos.
The following are steps for using Desmos.
Step 1: Go to the website https://www.desmos.com/calculator

Step 2:
Enter in the left column with the function of graph that will be plotted.
Step 3:

To modify the display’s settings, click the icon

You can then alter:

- There is or is not a grid on the display
- The design of 𝑂𝑥 and 𝑂𝑦 axes – arrows present or absent
- The range value of 𝑥.
- The range value of 𝑦.

and many more parameters.

2. Sketching quadratic graphs
Of course, in the GCSE exams, you are not allowed to use any online graphing calculator
to accurately plot a graph. Therefore, the requirement in the exam only is to sketch
quadratic graphs. Sketching means you only need to draw the correct shape and a few key
elements of the graph. Because of this, we look at the shape and some characteristics of a
quadratic graph in this section.
We first draw some quadratic graphs using Desmos:
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 4
𝑦 = −𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 6

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 4
𝑥=6

𝑦 = −𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 6

𝑥=2

The following are our comments:

𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 with 𝒂 > 𝟎 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 with 𝒂 < 𝟎
Shape Parabola
Behavior Parabola has a “valley” shape Parabola has a “hill” shape
Max/min point The graph has a minimum The graph has a maximum value.
value. This means that there is This means that there is a value of
a value of x where the value of x where the value of y is greatest
y is smallest – the bottom of – the top of the hill.
the valley.
Symmetry The quadratic graph is symmetric, with the axis of symmetry being
a vertical line (parallel to the axis Oy)
The maximum or minimum point of the parabola is also known as the turning point. The
reason is that you imagine a point moving from left to right on a parabolic trajectory. When
it encounters the maximum or minimum point, this point will change the direction of
motion.
Sometimes, the turning point is also called the vertex of the parabola.
Formulas used to find turning points and the equation of the axis of symmetry:
𝑏 𝑏2
Coordinates of the turning point: (− ,𝑐 − ) (2.1)
2𝑎 4𝑎
𝑏
The equation of the axis of symmetry is: 𝑥 = − (2.2)
2𝑎

Steps to draw a quadratic graph:

Step 1:
Create a table of values (often some of the values will be given).
Step 2:
Determine the points (x,y) on the Oxy plane from the table of values in step 1
Step 3: (if you want to)
Find the axis of symmetry and the turning point and plot them.
Step 4:
Connect all the points with a smooth curve.
While sketching, you should always keep in mind the shape and symmetry of the graph.
Example 2.1:
Complete the table of values for the equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2 given below. Draw the
graph of the equation.
𝑥 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
2
𝑦 = 𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 2

First, we use a calculator to calculate the values in the table:

𝑥 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
2
𝑦 = 𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 2 12 6 2 0 0 2 6 12

Plot the points (𝑥, 𝑦) on the 𝑂𝑥𝑦 plane:

Find the turning point and the axis of symmetry and plot them
−3 (−3)2
The coordinates of the turning point (− ,2 − ) = (1.5, −0.25)
2 4

The equation of the axis of symmetry: 𝑥 = 1.5

Join the points with a smooth curve:

Example 2.2:
Complete the table of values for the equation 𝑦 = −𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1 given below. Draw the
graph of the equation.
𝑥 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
2
𝑦 = −𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 1

First, we use a calculator to calculate the values in the table:

𝑥 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
2
𝑦 = −𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 1 -11 -4 1 4 5 4 1 -4 -11
Plot the points (𝑥, 𝑦) on the 𝑂𝑥𝑦 plane:

Find the turning point and the axis of symmetry and plot them
4 42
The coordinates of the turning point (− ,1 − ) = (2, 5)
−2 −4

The equation of the axis of symmetry: 𝑥 = 2

3. Find the turning point by completing the square
In section 2 of this lesson, you already know the coordinates of the turning point of a
𝑏 𝑏2
quadratic graph 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 are (− ,𝑐 − ). On the other hand, you also
2𝑎 4𝑎

learned that depending on the value of 𝑎 – the coefficient of 𝑥 2 – the turning point is
either a minimum point or a maximum point.
Example 3.1:
(a) Find the turning point of the graph that has the equation: 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1
(b) Show that 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1 ≥ −3 for all values of 𝑥.
4 42
(a) The coordinates of the turning point is (− , 1 − ) = (−2, −3)
2 4

(b) The equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1 has coefficient 𝑎 > 0 then the turning point is also
the minimum point. So, the minimum value of y is −3. Therefore, 𝑦 ≥ −3 or 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 +
1 ≥ −3 for all values of 𝑥.
Sometimes, GCSE exams do not allow you use the formula (2.1) to find the minimum
value or the maximum value of a quadratic function (which is essentially to find the
turning point). In this case, you must know how to solve this problem by completing the
square. [1]
Example 3.2:
(a) Write 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1 in the form (𝑥 + 𝑝)2 + 𝑞.
(b) Use the result of (a) to write down the coordinates of the minimum point on the
graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1

[Part of Cambridge IGCSE Level Mathematics 0580, Paper 43, June 2021]
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1 = (𝑥 + 2)2 − 3

Since (𝑥 + 2)2 ≥ 0 then So (𝑥 + 2)2 − 3 ≥ 3 ⇒ 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1 ≥ −3

Hence, 𝑦𝑚𝑖𝑛 = −3 at 𝑥 = −2.
______________________________________________________________
[1] We can use the suffice square method to prove formula (2.1)
 Example 3.3:
Find the maximum value of the function 𝑦 = −𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 − 21 and determine the
coordinates of the maximum point of the graph of this function by means of sufficient
squares. You must show all your working.

2 2
9 2
9 2 9 2
𝑦 = −𝑥 + 9𝑥 − 21 = −(𝑥 − 9𝑥 + 21) = − (𝑥 − 2 × × 𝑥 + ( ) − ( ) + 21)
2 2 2
9 2 81 84 9 2 3 9 2 3
= − ((𝑥 − ) − + ) = − ((𝑥 − ) + ) = − (𝑥 − ) −
2 4 4 2 4 2 4

9 2 9 2 3 3 3
Since (𝑥 − ) ≥ 0 then 𝑦 = − (𝑥 − ) − ≤ − . So, 𝑦max = − and the
2 2 4 4 4
9 3
coordinates of the maximum point are ( , − ).
2 4

We can also find the minimum or maximum value, turning point coordinates of a
quadratic function using a hand calculator.