The Quadratic Function

Dimitris Charalampidis charalampidisdimitris.
com Quadratics
Quadratic function
Definition
By quadratic function, we mean any function in the form f ( x) = a  x 2 + b  x + c , a0
We will now present some key characteristics of this function’s graph which will allow us to
sketch it if needed.
Resemblance
The graph of a quadratic function will always look like a parabola.
Graph of f ( x) = ax 2 , a  0 Graph of f ( x) = ax 2 , a  0
The graph of a random quadratic can be placed really anywhere in the Cartesian plane, but it
will look like one of the above graphs.
Concavity
The direction towards which the graph of a quadratic is expanding can be seen from the value
of a. More precisely,
If a>0, then the graph will be expanding upwards and we say that the graph is concave up
If a<0, then the graph will be expanding downwards and we say that the graph is concave down
In a quick mnemonic way, you can remember that the value of a affects the graph’s “mood”.
If a>0 (positive) then the graph itself will be in a positive mood and look like it is smiling. 
If a<0 (negative), then the graph itself will be in a negative mood and look like it is sad. 
Dimitris Charalampidis charalampidisdimitris.com Quadratics
Y-intercept
For any type of a quadratic function written in the form f ( x) = a  x 2 + b  x + c , a  0 , the

y-intercept of its graph will always be equal to c.
Indeed, remember that the algebraic way to find the y-intercept of a graph would be to
substitute 0 in place of x and solve for y. If we do that, we would get:
y = a  02 + b  0 + c = 0 + 0 + c = c
Example
Let f ( x) = x 2 − 5 x + 4 . The y-intercept of this graph will be equal to 4.
X-intercepts
Given a quadratic function of the form f ( x) = a  x 2 + b  x + c , a  0 , the x-intercepts of its

graph can be taken by putting 0 in place of y and solving for x, hence by solving the equation
a  x 2 + b  x + c = 0 . The safest way to do that would be by applying the quadratic formula.
Example
Find the x-intercepts of the graph of the function f ( x) = x 2 − 2 x − 8
Solution
a = 1 , b = −2 , c = −8 , D = b 2 − 4ac = ( −2 ) − 4 1  ( −8 ) = 36
2
2+6 8
= =4
−b  D − ( −2 )  36 2  6
2 2
x1,2 = = = =
2a 2 1 2
2 − 6 −4
= = −2
2 2
Therefore, the x-intercepts are 4 and -2.
Vertex
No matter if the graph of a quadratic function is “smiley” or “sad”, it will certainly have a vertex
point. There are many formulas to find the coordinates of this point and each one is related to
the form of the given quadratic function.
More precisely,
If the quadratic function is given in the standard form f ( x) = a  x 2 + b  x + c , a  0 , then

 −b  −b    −b − D 
   or by V  2a , 4a  , D = b − 4ac .
2
the coordinates of vertex V are given by V  ,f
 2a  2a    
If the quadratic function is given in the factorized form f ( x) = a ( x − x1 )( x − x2 ) , then the

 x1 + x2  x1 + x2  
vertex V is given by V  ,f .
 2  2 
If the quadratic function is given in the vertex form f ( x) = a ( x − h ) + k , then the vertex is
2
given by V ( h, k ) .
The vertex can be either minimum or maximum. This classification is straightly related to the
value of a.
If a>0 then as we know the graph will be smiley, and therefore the vertex will be a minimum.
If a<o, then similarly the graph will be sad, and therefore the vertex will be a maximum.
Range
The knowledge of the vertex point and more particularly of its y-coordinate can help us
determine the range of the function’s graph.
Remember that by range of a function, we mean the set of all y-values its graph can take.
There are 2 cases regarding the range.
Case 1: if the graph has a minimum, then the range is y   min, + )
Case 2: If the graph has a maximum, then the range is y  ( −, max 
Domain
For any quadratic function the Domain will be the set of all real numbers
Axis of symmetry
The graph of any quadratic function will always have a vertical to the axis line of symmetry.
The equation of this line can be calculated by different formulas, depending on the form of the
quadratic function we are given.
b
If the function is given in the form f ( x) = a  x 2 + b  x + c , then it will be x = −
2a
x1 + x2
If the function is given in the form f ( x) = a ( x − x1 )( x − x2 ) , then it will be x =
2
If the function is given in the form f ( x) = a ( x − h ) + k , then it will be x = h

2
Notice that the equation of the axis of symmetry is basically an equation written in
the form x= x-coordinate of vertex
Extra note
From the looks of the axis of symmetry it is evident that it can be found as the arithmetic mean
of the function’s roots. Indeed if x1 , x2 are the roots of the quadratic function, then the axis of
x1 + x2
symmetry will be x = .
2
This “property” though can be generalized as follows.
If xA and xB are the x-coordinates of the points at which the graph of a quadratic
function meets a random parallel to the x-axis line in the form y=k, then the axis of symmetry of
xA + xB
the quadratic function’s graph will be given by the equation x = .
2
x A x1 xB
x2

The Quadratic Function

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The Quadratic Function

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The Quadratic Function

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Dimitris Charalampidis charalampidisdimitris.

By quadratic function, we mean any function in the form f ( x) = a  x 2 + b  x + c , a0

For any type of a quadratic function written in the form f ( x) = a  x 2 + b  x + c , a  0 , the

Let f ( x) = x 2 − 5 x + 4 . The y-intercept of this graph will be equal to 4.

Given a quadratic function of the form f ( x) = a  x 2 + b  x + c , a  0 , the x-intercepts of its

Find the x-intercepts of the graph of the function f ( x) = x 2 − 2 x − 8

If the quadratic function is given in the standard form f ( x) = a  x 2 + b  x + c , a  0 , then

If the quadratic function is given in the factorized form f ( x) = a ( x − x1 )( x − x2 ) , then the

Case 1: if the graph has a minimum, then the range is y   min, + )

If the function is given in the form f ( x) = a ( x − h ) + k , then it will be x = h

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