A quadratic function, in mathematics, is a polynomial function of the form

, where . The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola

whose major axis is parallel to the y-axis.

The expression ax2 + bx + c in the definition of a quadratic function is a polynomial of

degree 2 or a 2nd degree polynomial, because the highest exponent of x is 2.

If the quadratic function is set equal to zero, then the result is a quadratic equation. The
solutions to the equation are called the roots of the equation or the zeros of the function.

This is a tutorial on quadratic functions. The solutions and the explanations are
detailled.

Example 1 : Find the equation of the quadratic function f whose graph passes
through the point (2 , -8) and has x intercepts at (1 , 0) and (-2 , 0).

Solution to Example 1:

a. Because the graph has x intercepts at (1 , 0) and (-2 , 0), the equation of
the function may be written as follows.
f(x) = a(x - 1)(x + 2)

b. The graph of f passes through the point (2 , -8), it follows that

f(2) = -8
c. which leads to
-8 = a(2 - 1)(2 + 2)
d. expand the right side of the above equation and group like terms
-8 = 4a
e. Solve the above equation for a to obtain
a = -2
f. The equation of f is given by
f(x) = -2(x - 1)(x + 2)
g. Check answer
f(1) = 0
f(-2) = 0
f(2) = -2(2 - 1)(2 + 2) = -8

Matched Exercise: Find the equation of the quadratic function f whose graph
has x intercepts at (-1 , 0) and (3 , 0) and a y intercept at (0 , -4).

Quadratic Functions(General Form)

Quadratic functions and the properties of their graphs such as vertex
and x and y intercepts are explored interactively using applets.

You can also use this applet to explore the relationship between the x intercepts
of the graph of a quadratic function f(x) and the solutions of the corresponding
quadratic equation f(x) = 0. The exploration is carried by changing values of 3
coefficients a, b and c included in the definition of f(x).

Once you finish the present tutorial, you may want to go through tutorials on
quadratic functions and graphing quadratic functions.

If needed, Free graph paper is available.

A - Definition of a quadratic function

A quadratic function f is a function of the form

f(x) = ax2 + bx + c

where a, b and c are real numbers and a not equal to zero. The graph of the
quadratic function is called a parabola. It is a "U" shaped curve that may open
up or down depending on the sign of coefficient a.

Examples of quadratic functions

a. f(x) = -2x2 + x - 1
b. f(x) = x2 + 3x + 2

Interactive Tutorial (1)

The button below starts the applet on a separate large screen.

Click on the button above "click here to start" to start the applet and
maximize the window obtained.
Use the scrollbars in the left panel of the applet window to set coefficients
a, b and c to the values in the examples above and observe the graph
obtained. Note that the graph corresponding to part a) is a parabola
opening down since coefficient a is negative and the graph corresponding
to part b) is a parabola opening up since coefficient a is positive. You may
change the values of coefficient a, b and c and observe the graphs
obtained.
Set a to zero and explain the graph obtained. Which term in ax 2 + bx + c
gives the parabolic shape?

Answers
 B - Standard form of a quadratic function and vertex

Any quadratic function can be written in the standard form

f(x) = a(x - h)2 + k

where h and k are given in terms of coefficients a, b and c.

Let us start with the quadratic function in general form and complete the square
to rewrite it in standard form.

Given function f(x)

f(x) = ax2 + bx + c

factor coefficient a out of the terms in x2 and x

f(x) = a[ x2 + (b/a)x ] + c
add and subtract (b/2a)2 inside the parentheses
f(x) = a[ x2 + (b/a)x + (b/2a)2 - (b/2a)2 ] + c
Note that
x2 + (b/a)x + (b/2a)2
can be written as
[x + (b/2a)]2
We now write f as follows
f(x) = a[ x + (b/2a) ]2 - a(b/2a)2 + c
which can be written as
f(x) = a[ x + (b/2a) ]2 - (b2/4a) + c
This is the standard form of a quadratic function with

h = -b/(2a)

k = c - b2/(4a)

When you graph a quadratic function, the graph will either have a maximum or
a minimum point called the vertex. The x and y coordinates of the vertex are
given by h and k respectively.

Example : Write the quadratic function f given by f(x) = -2x2 + 4x + 1 in standard

form and find the vertex of the graph.

Solution
 given function
f(x) = -2x2 + 4x + 1

factor -2 out
f(x) = -2(x2 - 2x) + 1
We now divide the coefficient of x which is -2 by 2 and that gives -1.
f(x) = -2(x2 - 2x + (-1)2 - (-1)2) + 1
add and subtract (-1)2 within the parentheses
f(x) = -2(x2 - 2x + (-1)2) + 2 + 1
group like terms and write in standard form
f(x) = -2(x - 1)2 + 3
The above gives h = 1 and k = 3.
h and k can also be found using the formulas for h and k obtained above.
h = -b/2a = -4/(2*-2) = 1

k = c - b2/(4a) = 1 - 42/(4*-2) = 3
The vertex of the graph is at (1,3).

Interactive Tutorial (2)

Go back to the applet window and set a to -2, b to 4 and c to 1 (values

used in the above example). Check that the graph opens down (a < 0) and
that the vertex is at the point (1,3) and is a maximum point.

Use the applet window and set a to 1, b to -2 and c to 0, f(x) = x 2 - 2x.

Check that the graph opens up (a > 0) and that the vertex is at the point
(1,-1) and is a minimum point.

C - x intercepts of the graph of a quadratic function

The x intercepts of the graph of a quadratic function f given by

f(x) = ax2 + bx + c

are the real solutions, if they exist, of the quadratic equation

ax2 + bx + c = 0

The above equation has two real solutions and therefore the graph has x
intercepts when the discriminant D = b2 - 4ac is positive. It has one repeated
solution when D is equal to zero. The solutions are given by the quadratic
formulas

x1 = (-b + sqrt(D))/2a
and
x2 = (-b - sqrt(D))/2a

Example: Find the x intercepts for the graph of each function given below

a. f(x) = x2 + 2x - 3
b. g(x) = -x2 + 2x - 1
c. h(x) = -2x2 + 2x - 2

Solution

a. To find the x intercepts, we solve

x2 + 2x - 3 = 0

discriminant D = 22 - 4*1*(-3) = 16

two real solutions:

x1 = (-2 + sqrt(16))/(2*1) = 1
and
x2 = (-2 - sqrt(16))/(2*1) = -3

The graph of function in part a) has two x intercepts are at the points (1,0)
and (-3,0)

We solve -x2 + 2x - 1 = 0

discriminant D = 22 - 4*(-1)*(-1) = 0

one repeated real solutions x1 = -b/2a = -2/-2 = 1

b.

The graph of function in part b) has one x intercept at (1,0).

c. We solve -2x2 + 2x - 2 = 0

discriminant D = 22 - 4*(-2)*(-2) = -12

No real solutions for the above equation

No x intercept for the graph of function in part c).

Interactive Tutorial (3)

Go to the applet window and set the values of a, b and c for each of the
examples in parts a, b and c above and check the discriminant and the x
intercepts of the corresponding graphs.
Use the applet window to find any x intercepts for the following quadratic
functions.
a) f(x) = x2 + x - 2
b) g(x) = 4x2 + x + 1
a) h(x) = x2 - 4x + 4
Use the analytical method described in the above example to find the x
intercepts and compare the results.
Use the applet window and set a,b and c to values such that b 2 - 4ac < 0.
How many x-intercepts the graph of f(x) has ?
Use the applet window and set a,b and c to values such that b 2 - 4ac = 0.
How many x-intercepts the graph of f(x) has?
Use the applet window and set a, b and c to values such that b 2 - 4ac > 0.
How many x-intercepts the graph of f(x) has ?

Answers

D - y intercepts of the graph of a quadratic function

The y intercept of the graph of a quadratic function is given by f(0) = c.

Example: Find the y intercept of the graph of the following quadratic functions.
a. f(x) = x2 + 2x - 3
b. g(x) = 4x2 - x + 1
c. h(x) = -x2 + 4x + 4

Solution
a. f(0) = -3. The graph of f has a y intercept at (0,-3).
b. g(0) = 1. The graph of g has a y intercept at (0,1).
c. h(0) = 4. The graph of h has a y intercept at (0,4).

Interactive Tutorial (4)

Use the applet window to check the y intercept for the quadratic
functions in the above example.
Use the applet window to check the y intercept is at the point (0,c) for
different values of c.
 E - Exercises: Find the equation of a quadratic function given its graph

Click on the button "click here to start" to start the applet. Now press the button
"new graph" to generate a new graph.

As an exercise you are asked to find the equation

of the quadratic function whose graph is shown in the applet and write it in the
form f(x) = ax2 + bx + c. Once you have found the equation of the graph you can
check your answer by clicking on the second button "show/hide" that will display
coefficients a, b and c on the left side of the plotting panel.

Example: Find the graph of the quadratic function f whose graph is shown below.

Solution

There are several methods to answer the above question but all of them have
one idea in common: you need to understand and then select the right
information from the graph.

method 1:

The above graph has two x intercepts at (-3,0) and (-1,0) and a y intercept at
(0,6). The x coordinates of the x intercepts can be used to write the equation of
function f as follows:

f(x) = a(x + 3)(x + 1)

We now use the y intercept f(0) = 6

6 = a(0 + 3)(0 + 1)

and solve for a to find a = 2. The formula for the quadratic function f is given by :

f(x) = 2(x + 3)(x + 1) = 2x 2 + 8 x + 6

method 2:

The above parabola has a vertex at (-2 , -2) and a y intercept at (0,6). The
standard (or vertex) form of a quadratic function f can be written

f(x) = a(x + 2) 2 - 2
We use the y intercept f(0) = 6

6 = a(0 + 2) 2 - 2. Solve for a to find a = 2. The formula for the quadratic function f
is given by :

f(x) = 2(x + 2) 2 - 2 = 2x 2 + 8 x + 6

method 3:

Since a quadratic function has the form

f(x) = ax2 + bx + c

we need 3 points on the graph of f in order to write 3 equations and solve for a, b
and c.

The following points are on the graph of f

(-3 , 0) , (-1 , 0) and (0 , 6)

point (0 , 6) gives

f(0) = 6 = a(0)2 + b(0) + c = c

solve for c to obtain c = 6
The two other points gives two more equations

(-3 , 0) gives f(-3) = a(-3)2 + b(-3) + 6

which leads to 9 a - 3 b + 6 = 0

and (-1 , 0) gives f(-3) = a(-1)2 + b(-1) + 6

which becomes a - b + 6 = 0

Solve the last two equations in a and b to obtain

a = 2 and b = 4 and gives

f(x) = 2x 2 + 8 x + 6