Mathematics 334 Designed by Peter Nield Notes by Katherine Daignault

Westwood High School Grade 9 Student

Quadratic Functions
Basic Quadratic Function: y = x 2

parabola

vertex

Transformed Quadratic Functions:

Standard Form: y = a (x − h ) + k
2

“a”:
• If “a” is negative, function opens down.
• If “a” is positive, function opens up.
• If “a” is greater than 1, parabola gets skinnier.
• If “a” is less than 1, parabola gets wider.
“h”: Translates function horizontally.
“k”: Translates function vertically.
VERTEX = (h, k )
* “h” value always opposite sign!!

Parabolas are symmetrical.

Axis of symmetry at x = h
EX:
y = 2( x + 3) − 1
2

x = -3

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Mathematics 334 Designed by Peter Nield Notes by Katherine Daignault
Westwood High School Grade 9 Student

General Form: y = ax 2 + bx + c

“a”:
• If “a” is negative, function opens down.
• If “a” is positive, function opens up.
• If “a” is greater than 1, parabola gets skinnier.
• If “a” is less than 1, parabola gets wider.
“c”: the “y” intercept.

Converting Forms:
To convert general to standard form, you can complete the square.
EX:
y = 2 x 2 − 8 x + 12
(
y = 2 x 2 − 4x + 6 )
y = 2(x 2
− 4x + 4 − 4 + 6 )
[
y = 2 (x − 2) + 2
2
]
y = 2( x − 2) + 4
2

(
SHORTCUT: ax 2 + bx + c )
a=a
−b
h=
2a
4ac − b 2
k=
4a
EX:
y = 2 x 2 − 8 x + 12 a=2
b = −8
c = 12
y = a( x − h ) + k
2

a=a=2
−b 8
h= = =2
2a 4
4ac − b 2 4 × 2 × 12 − (− 8) 96 − 64
2
k= = = =4
4a 4× 2 8
y = 2( x − 2) + 4
2

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