3.

2 Determining Maximum and Minimum Values

of a Quadratic Function
Minds on…
Where is a maximum on a quadratic function What is a minimum on a quadratic function
found? found?

Using your knowledge of parabolas, sort the following equations. Which function(s) will have
a maximum value? Which function(s) will have a minimum value? Explain.
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 b) 𝑓(𝑥) = −4(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 5)

c) 𝑓(𝑥) = −(𝑥 + 4)2 − 9 1

d) 𝑓(𝑥) = − 2 𝑥 2 + 3

Action…
There are four distinct strategies for finding the maximum/minimum of a quadratic function.
Become familiar with all four strategies.

Method 1 – Completing the Square Method Method 2 – Using the factored form of the
equation to find x-intercepts to calculate axis of
Ex. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 1, determine symmetry and then the y coordinate of the vertex
the minimum value using completing the
square method. Ex. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 6𝑥 2 − 11𝑥 − 7, determine the
minimum using the x-intercepts.
𝑓(𝑥) = (3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥) + 1
𝑓(𝑥) = 3(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥) + 1 𝑓(𝑥) = 6𝑥 2 − 11𝑥 − 7
𝑓(𝑥) = 3[𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 − 4] + 1 0 = 6𝑥 2 − 11𝑥 − 7
𝑓(𝑥) = 3[(𝑥 − 2)2 − 4] + 1 0 = 6𝑥 2 − 14𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 7
𝑓(𝑥) = 3(𝑥 − 2)2 − 12 + 1 0 = (6𝑥 2 − 14𝑥) + (3𝑥 − 7)
𝑓(𝑥) = 3(𝑥 − 2)2 − 11 0 = 2𝑥(3𝑥 − 7) + 1(3𝑥 − 7)
0 = (3𝑥 − 7)(2𝑥 + 1)
Here the vertex is (2, -11). Therefore, the 0 = 3𝑥 − 7 0 = 2𝑥 + 1
minimum value is -11. 7 = 3𝑥 −1 = 2𝑥
7 −1
=𝑥 =𝑥
3 2
Axis of symmetry y-coordinate of vertex
7 −1 11 −289
𝑥 = ( + ( )) ÷ 2 𝑓( ) =
3 2 12 24
11
𝑥=
12
−289
Therefore, the minimum value is 24
.
 Method 3 - Symmetrical Points Method Method 4 – Using a graphing technology

Ex. Use the symmetrical points method to find Ex. Using DESMOS, find the minimum value of
the maximum of 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 13. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 2 − 16𝑥 + 11.

Begin by grouping the terms containing x.

𝑓(𝑥) = (−3𝑥 2 + 12𝑥) − 13
Now turn your attention to just the grouped
terms. Factor the GCF and solve using the
zero-product property.
0 = −3𝑥(𝑥 − 4)
0 = 3𝑥 𝑥−4=0
0=𝑥 𝑥=4

This means that there are symmetrical

points when x is 0 and when x is 4. This can
be used to find the axis of symmetry.
Axis of symmetry y coordinate of
0+4 vertex
𝑥=
2 𝑓(2) = −1
𝑥=2 Here we need to look at the vertex and
understand that the y coordinate of the vertex
Therefore, the maximum value is -1. is the minimum value. Therefore, here the
minimum value is -5.

Consolidation…
1. Use the symmetrical points method to find
the minimum of 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 2 − 40𝑥 + 76.
2. Given that the revenue function is
𝑅(𝑥) = −2𝑥 2 + 20𝑥 and the cost function is
𝐶(𝑥) = 16𝑥 + 11 for a company, determine the
profit function and the value of x that maximizes
profit for this company.

3. The height of a ball is modeled by ℎ(𝑡) = −4𝑡 2 + 32𝑡 + 15, where h(t) is the ball’s height above
the ground, in metres, at time t seconds after the throw.
a) Determine the maximum height of the ball.

b) How long does it take for the ball to reach its maximum height?

c) How high is the rooftop?