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VML COLLEGE ALGEBRA INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA BEGINNING ALGEBRA GRE MATH THEA/ACCUPLACER
College Algebra
Tutorial 34: Graphs of Quadratic Functions
WTAMU > Virtual Math Lab > College Algebra
Learning Objectives
After completing this tutorial, you should be able to:
1. Find the vertex of a quadratic function.

2. Determine if the vertex is the maximum or minimum point of a quadratic function.
3. Graph a quadratic function.
Introduction
In this tutorial we will be looking at graphs of quadratic functions. The graph of a quadratic function is called a parabola and
has a curved shape. One of the main points of a parabola is its vertex. It is the highest or the lowest point on its graph. You
can think of like an endpoint of a parabola. I will be showing you how to find the vertex as well as the axis of symmetry that
goes through this point. I will also refresh your memory on how to find the x- and y- intercepts. If you need a review on
what intercepts on a graph are, feel free to go to Tutorial 26: Equations of Lines. When finding x-intercepts, you will find
yourself having to solve a quadratic equation. If you need a review on solving quadratic equations, feel free to go to Tutorial
17: Quadratic Equations. If you are in a college algebra class, working with quadratic functions is inevitable, even if it is
against your religion. So I guess you better get started.
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Tutorial
Quadratic Function
A quadratic function is a function that

can be written in the form
where a, b, and c
are constants and
Note that in a quadratic function there is a power of two on your independent variable and that is the highest power.
Standard Form of a
Quadratic Function
Sometimes your quadratic function is written in standard form. It is ok to leave it in this form when working with your
problem. I will be showing you how to graph a parabola using either form.
Graph of a Quadratic Function
The graph of a quadratic function is called a parabola. It is basically a curved shape opening up or down.
What does a tell us?
When you have a quadratic function in either form, OR ,
if a > 0, then the parabola opens up ,
if a < 0, then the parabola opens down .
Vertex
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The vertex is the lowest or highest point (depending on direction) on the graph of a quadratic function.
Finding the vertex using the form , :
If your quadratic function is in the form , , then the
vertex = .
Basically you will find the x value of the vertex first and then just plug that value into the function
to get the y or functional value of the vertex.
Finding the vertex using the form :
If your quadratic function is in the form , then the
vertex = (h, k).
Axis of Symmetry
Each parabola is symmetric about a vertical line called the axis of symmetry. This vertical line goes through the vertex.
Think of it as a mirrored image about this vertical line.
The next three graphs illustrate the different aspects of the graph of a quadratic function or parabola.
The following is the graph of the function :
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I want you to note a few things about this graph:
First of all, see how the vertex is the lowest point on the graph. It is either going to be the lowest or
highest point on the graph of a quadratic function.
Second, look at the axis of symmetry. It is not actually part of the graph itself, but is important in
that the parabola creates a mirrored image about it. Note how it is symmetric about the axis of
symmetry. Also, note how it goes through the vertex.
Third, note how there is one y-intercept but no x-intercept. The quadratic function can have no,
one or two x-intercepts.
First of all, see how the vertex is the lowest point on the graph. It is either going to be the lowest or
Third, note how there is one y-intercept and one x-intercept. The quadratic function can have no,
one or two x-intercepts.
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First of all, see how the vertex is the highest point on the graph. It is either going to be the lowest or
Third, note how there is one y-intercept and two x-intercepts. The quadratic function can have
no, one or two x-intercepts.
Example 1: Find the coordinates of the vertex of . Without graphing, determine if the
vertex is the maximum or minimum point of the quadratic function.
Vertex
Note how this quadratic function is written in standard form. That means we can find the vertex by lining it
up with the general standard form and identify (h, k).
*Standard form of quad. function
Since (h, k) is the vertex in standard form, what do you think our vertex is for this problem?
If you said (1, -3) you are correct.
Be careful about your signs on this problem. It is real tempting to say that the vertex is (1, 3). However take a
close look at the standard form. Notice how the sign in front of h is a minus, but the one in front of k is
positive. So h is the number we are subtracting from x, which in our case is 1. k is the number we are adding
at the end, which our case we are adding a negative 3.
Maximum or Minimum?
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Next we want to determine if the vertex that we found, (1, -3), is a maximum or minimum point, without
graphing.
If we know which direction the curve opens, that can help us answer this question.
Since a = 4, and 4 is greater than 0, this parabola would open up .
So does that mean the vertex is a maximum or minimum point?
If you said a minimum point, you are right on.
So our vertex (1, -3) is the minimum point.
Example 2: Find the coordinates of the vertex of . Without graphing, determine if the
vertex is the maximum or minimum point of the quadratic function.
Vertex
Note how this quadratic function is written in the form . That means we can find the
vertex by using the formula .
*Identify a , b, and c
*Plug values into vertex form. for a, b, and c
*Plug -5/4 in for x to find the y value of the vertex
The vertex would be .
Maximum or Minimum?
Next we want to determine if the vertex that we found, , is a maximum or minimum point, without
graphing.
If we know which direction the curve opens, that can help us answer this question.
Since a = -2, and -2 is less than 0, this parabola would open down .
So does that mean the vertex is a maximum or minimum point?
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If you said a maximum point, you are right on.
So our vertex is the maximum point.
Graphing a Quadratic Function
Step 1: Does the graph curve up or down?
Step 2: Find the vertex.
Step 3: Find the intercepts.
If you need a review on intercepts feel free to go to Tutorial 26: Equations of Lines.
Step 4: Graph the parabola.
Plot the points found in steps 2 and 3 and draw a curved line through them.
Example 3: Use the vertex and the intercepts to sketch the graph of the quadratic function
. Find the equation for this function's axis of symmetry.
Since a = -1 and -1 < 0, then it looks like it is going to curve down.
This gives us a good reference to know we are going in the right direction.
Just like in example 1 above, this quadratic function is written in standard form. That means we can find the
vertex by lining it up with the general standard form and identify (h, k).
*Standard form of quad. function
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Since (h, k) is the vertex in standard form, what do you think our vertex is?
If you said (-1, 4) you are correct.
Be careful about your signs on this problem. Notice how the sign in front of h is a minus, but the one in front
of k is positive. So h is the number we are subtracting from x, which in our case is -1. k is the number we are
adding at the end, which our case we are adding a 4.
y-intercept
Reminder that the y-intercept is always where the graph crosses the y-axis which means x = 0:
*Replace x with 0
The y-intercept is (0, 3).
x-intercept
Reminder that the x-intercept is always where the graph crosses the x-axis which means y = 0:
*Replace y (or f(x)) with 0
*Solve the quadratic by factoring
The x-intercepts are (-3, 0) and (1, 0).
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Axis of symmetry
As shown on the graph, the axis of symmetry is x = -1.
Example 4: Use the vertex and the intercepts to sketch the graph of the quadratic function
. Find the equation for this function's axis of symmetry.
Since a = 1 and 1 > 0, then it looks like it is going to curve up.
This gives us a good reference to know we are going in the right direction.
Just like in example 2 above, this quadratic function is written in the form . That means
we can find the vertex by using the formula .
*Identify a , b, and c
*Plug values into vertex form. for a, b, and c
*Plug -1 in for x to find the y value of the vertex
So the vertex is (-1, 1).
y-intercept
Reminder that the y-intercept is always where the graph crosses the y-axis which means x = 0:
*Replace x with 0
The y-intercept is (0, 2).
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x-intercept
Reminder that the x-intercept is always where the graph crosses the x-axis which means y = 0:
*Replace y (or f(x)) with 0
Note that this does not factor. Let's try solving by using the quadratic formula:
*Quadratic formula
*Plug in values for a, b, and c
Note how we got a negative number underneath the square root. That means there is no real number solution.
That also means that there are NO x-intercepts.
Axis of symmetry
As shown on the graph, the axis of symmetry is x = -1.
Practice Problems
These are practice problems to help bring you to the next level. It will allow you to check and see if you have an
understanding of these types of problems. Math works just like anything else, if you want to get good at it, then you need
to practice it. Even the best athletes and musicians had help along the way and lots of practice, practice, practice, to
get good at their sport or instrument. In fact there is no such thing as too much practice.
To get the most out of these, you should work the problem out on your own and then check your answer by clicking on
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the link for the answer/discussion for that problem. At the link you will find the answer as well as any steps that went
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Practice Problems 1a - 1b: Find the coordinates of the vertex of the given quadratic function.
Without graphing, determine if the vertex is the maximum or minimum point of the quadratic function.
1a. 1b.
(answer/discussion to 1a) (answer/discussion to 1b)
Practice Problems 2a - 2b: Use the vertex and the intercepts to sketch the graph of the given
quadratic function. Find the equation for this function's axis of symmetry.
2a. 2b.
(answer/discussion to 2a) (answer/discussion to 2b)
Need Extra Help on these Topics?
The following is a webpage that can assist you in the topics that were covered on this page:
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/grphquad.htm
This webpage helps you with graphing parabolas.
Go to Get Help Outside the Classroom found in Tutorial 1: How to Succeed in a Math Class for some more
suggestions.
WTAMU > Virtual Math Lab > College Algebra
Last revised on July 10, 2010 by Kim Seward.

All contents copyright (C) 2002 - 2010, WTAMU and Kim Seward. All rights reserved.
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After completing this tutorial, you should be able to:

1. Find the vertex of a quadratic function.

A quadratic function is a function that

Graph of a Quadratic Function

What does a tell us?

When you have a quadratic function in either form, OR ,

if a > 0, then the parabola opens up ,

if a < 0, then the parabola opens down .

Finding the vertex using the form , :

If your quadratic function is in the form , , then the

Finding the vertex using the form :

If your quadratic function is in the form , then the

vertex = (h, k).

Think of it as a mirrored image about this vertical line.

The following is the graph of the function :

I want you to note a few things about this graph:

The following is the graph of the function :

I want you to note a few things about this graph:

The following is the graph of the function :

I want you to note a few things about this graph:

*Standard form of quad. function

If you said (1, -3) you are correct.

Since a = 4, and 4 is greater than 0, this parabola would open up .

So does that mean the vertex is a maximum or minimum point?

If you said a minimum point, you are right on.

So our vertex (1, -3) is the minimum point.

vertex by using the formula .

*Plug values into vertex form. for a, b, and c

*Plug -5/4 in for x to find the y value of the vertex

The vertex would be .

So does that mean the vertex is a maximum or minimum point?

If you said a maximum point, you are right on.

So our vertex is the maximum point.

Graphing a Quadratic Function

Step 1: Does the graph curve up or down?

Step 2: Find the vertex.

Step 3: Find the intercepts.

Step 4: Graph the parabola.

Step 1: Does the graph curve up or down?

Since a = -1 and -1 < 0, then it looks like it is going to curve down.

Step 2: Find the vertex.

*Standard form of quad. function

If you said (-1, 4) you are correct.

Step 3: Find the intercepts.

The y-intercept is (0, 3).

*Replace y (or f(x)) with 0

*Solve the quadratic by factoring

The x-intercepts are (-3, 0) and (1, 0).

Step 4: Graph the parabola.

Step 1: Does the graph curve up or down?

Since a = 1 and 1 > 0, then it looks like it is going to curve up.

Step 2: Find the vertex.

we can find the vertex by using the formula .

*Plug values into vertex form. for a, b, and c

*Plug -1 in for x to find the y value of the vertex

So the vertex is (-1, 1).

Step 3: Find the intercepts.

The y-intercept is (0, 2).

*Replace y (or f(x)) with 0

*Plug in values for a, b, and c

Step 4: Graph the parabola.