Problem

Student Name : Student Date: 04/12/2024 8:47 PM

Marcofragoso0
Login Name : SMARCOFRAGOSO0 Class Name : PreCalculus and
Problem Solving

Polynomial and Rational Functions

Range of a quadratic function

SAMPLE QUESTION

Find the range of the quadratic function.

2
f x = 2x + 16x + 35
Write your answer using interval notation.

EXPLANATION

The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola.

The range is the set of all y-coordinates of points on the parabola.
We'll do a quick sketch of the parabola to find the range.

2
A parabola with equation f x = a x − h + k has vertex h , k .
2
We'll rewrite f x = 2x + 16x + 35 in this form. We start with the first two terms as shown below.

2
f x = 2x + 16x + 35
2
f x = 2 x + 8x + 35

2
Now we need to complete the square of the parenthetical expression x + 8x.
2
2 8
Since we have x + 8x, we must add = 16 inside the parentheses.
2
Note, though, that the expression inside the parentheses is being multiplied by 2.
So, in completing the square, we are adding 2·16 = 32 to the right side of the equation.
To balance this, we must also add − 32 to the right side as shown below.

2
f x = 2 x + 8x + 16 + 35 − 32
Rewriting this expression, we get the following.
 2
f x =2 x+4 +3
2
Comparing this equation with f x =a x−h + k, we get a = 2, h = − 4, and k = 3.
So, the graph of f is a parabola with vertex − 4, 3 . 8
y

Since a is positive, the parabola opens up. 6

− 4, 3 2
x

-8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8
-2

-4

-6

-8

The range of f is the set of all of its outputs f x . 8

y

That is, the range is the set of all y-coordinates on the

6
graph.
4

To find the range, we project the graph onto the y-axis. 2

We see that the minimum value in the range is 3. x

All values greater than 3 are also part of the range. -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8

-2
(This is because the graph extends upward forever.)
-4
Therefore, the range of f is the interval 3, ∞ .
-6

-8

ANSWER

3, ∞