Lesson: Understanding Quadratic Functions 1, What is a Quadratic Function? ‘A quadratic function is a type of function that can be written in the form: f (2) = a2? + be +e where: + "a.""b," and “c" are constants (numbers that don't change). is the variable, the number we plug into the function ‘The important feature of a quadratic function is the «x? term, which makes the graph of the function look like a U-shaped curve called a parabola. 2. Forms of a Quadratic Function Quadratic functions can be written in two common forms: * Standard Form: f(«) = a2? + be +e * Vertex Form: f(r) = a(x —h)? +k Invertex form, the numbers h and k give us the vertex (the highest or lowest point on the graph) at (h, k). This form is useful when we want to easily find the vertex. 3. Parts of a Parabola Every parabola has important parts that help us understand it better: # Vertex: The highest or lowest point on the parabola. © Ifthe parabola opens upwards, the vertex is the lowest point. © Ifitopens downwards, the vertex is the highest point. In vertex form, the vertex is at (h, k). ‘= Axis of Symmetry: A line that divides the parabola into two mirror images. The axis of symmetry passes through the vertex. © Ifthe vertex is at (fh, k), the axis of symmetry is the vertical line « = h. Example: If we have a quadratic function in vertex form f(s) = 2(a — 1)* + 3, the vertex is at (1,3), and the axis of symmetry is the line x = 14, Domi and Range of Quadratic Functions + Domain: The domain of a quadratic function is all real numbers, because you can plug any number into « and get an output. We write this as: Domain: « € (—00, 00) Range: The range of a quadratic function depends on whether it opens upwards or downwards: © Ifitopens upwards (when a > 0), the range starts at the vertex and goes up to infinity. © Ifit opens downwards (when a < 0), the range starts at the vertex and goes down to negative infinity. ‘Example: If f(w) = 2(@ — 1)? +3, the vertex is at (1, 3), and the parabola opens upwards. So the range is: Range: y > 3 5. How to Graph a Quadratic Function To graph a quadratic function, it helps to know a few things: 1. Identify the form (standard or vertex) and rewrite it in vertex form if needed. 2. Find the vertex 3, Determine the axis of symmetry. 4, Decide if it opens upwards or downwards (look at the sign of a) 5, Identify the range based on the direction it opens. 6, Plot points around the vertex to see the shape of the parabola. Example: Let's graph f(a) = —2? + 4x — 3. 1. Rewrite in vertex form: f (a2) = —(a — 2)? +1. 2. The vertex is (2,1) 3. Axis of symmetry: 2 = 2 4, Since a = —1, the parabola opens downwards. 5.Range:y < 1. 6, Plot points around the vertex to sketch the graph. 6. Finding the Vertex and Axis of Symmetry in Standard Form If the quadratic function is in standard form f(a) = ax? + ba +c, we can find the vertex and axis of symmetry using these steps: 1. Axis of Symmetry: « = —}. 2. Vertex: Once you have the «-coordinate from the axis of symmetry, plug it back into the function tofind the y-coordinate, So the vertexisat (-, f (#4).Example: For f(a) = 2x? — de +1: 1. Find the axis of symmetry: 2 = —3$ = 1. 2. Substitute « = 1 back into f(x) to find y: f(1) = 2(1)? — 4(1) +1 3. Vertex: (1, —1). 7. Real-Life Example of a Quadratic Function Quadratic functions often describe reablife situations where something moves in a curved path, like When you throw a ball in the air. Example: Imagine you throw a ball straight up. The height h of the ball after ¢ seconds might follow a quadratic function like: A(t) = —5t? + 208 +15 In this example: + The parabola opens downwards (because of the —5t? term). ‘* The vertex will tell us the highest point the ball reaches. ‘+ The range will show all possible heights from the ground up to the maximum height. 8. Practice Problems 4. Identify the vertex and axis of symmetry for f(x) = 3(e + 2)? —5. Answer: Vertex: (-2, -5) Axis of symmetry: a -2 2. Does the parabola for f(x) + 62 — 8 open upwards or downwards? Answer: Downwards, because the leading coefficient (-1) is negative. 3. Find the domain and range of f() = 4x? — 2x + 1. Answer: Domain: x € (—00, 00) Range: y > minimum value 4. Graph the function f(x) = —2(x — 3)? + 4. Find the vertex, axis of symmetry, and range. Answer: Vertex: (3,4) Axis of symmetry: Range:y <4