Graphs of Quadratic

Functions
What is a Quadratic Function
• A quadratic function is one of the form:
 f(x) = ax2 + bx + c,
where a, b, and c are numbers with a not equal to zero

Note: for a function to be quadratic the highest power

of any variable must be two.
• Based on the definition are the following quadratic
functions?

• f(x) = 3x2 – 4
• g(x) = x2 + 7x +1
• h(x) =5x + 3
• F(x)= 2x2
The graphs of quadratic functions
• The graph of a quadratic function is called a
parabola. Parabolas are curved shaped.
• In graphs of quadratic functions, the sign on the
coefficient a affects whether the graph opens up or
down.
• If a<0, the graph makes a frown (opens down)
Example -2x2-5x +3
If a>0 then the graph makes a smile (opens up).
Example 4x2- 4x +3
Features of a Quadratic Function
• 1. Vertex
One important feature of the parabola is that it has an extreme point,
called the vertex. If the parabola opens up, the vertex represents the
lowest point on the graph, or the minimum point of the quadratic
function. If the parabola opens down, the vertex represents the highest
point on the graph, or the maximum point. In either case, the vertex is
a turning point on the graph.
Vertex: Maximum Point

Maximum Point = (x,y)

Maximum point = ( , )

Maximum value(y value)

Maximum value =
 Vertex: Minimum Point

Minimum Point = (x,y)

Minimum Point = ( , )

Minimum value(y value)

Minimum value =
• Axis of Symmetry
Parabolas also have an axis of symmetry, which is parallel to the y-axis.
The axis of symmetry is a vertical line drawn through the vertex.

Axis of symmetry
X= ?
Name the axis of symmetry
3. y-intercept
The y-intercept is the point at which the parabola crosses the y-axis.
There cannot be more than one such point, for the graph of a quadratic
function. If there were, the curve would not be a function, as there
would be two y values for one x value, at zero.
What is the y intercept here?
4. x-intercepts
The x-intercepts are the points at which the parabola crosses the x-axis. If
they exist, the x-intercepts represent the roots, of the quadratic function,
the values of x at which y=0. There may be zero, one, or two x-intercepts.
What is/are my roots?
What are my roots?
!!!!!! WILD CARD !!!!!
Drawing a quadratic Graph
• TO DRAW A QUADRATIC GRAPH WE FIRST NEED THE FUNCTION THAT
REPRESENTS THAT GRAPH.

• EG f(x) = x2

• Then, we will need the range and domain values for the graph.
Recognizing range and domain
Range = Y values

Domain = x values

Only the domain will be given when

you are asked to plot a graph. Your
job will be to find the range.

Domain

-4 ≤ x ≤ 2
Determine the domain of the following graphs