Forms of Quadratic Functions
Standard Form f ( x) ax2 bx c, wherea 0
Axis of Symmetry x-intercepts Concavity Vertex y-intercepts
−𝑏
Use 𝑥 = 2𝑎 to determine the x-
−𝑏 Substitute zero for y and 𝑎 > 0 graph is concave up coordinate of the vertex. Then c-value
𝑥= solve for x 𝑎 < 0 graph is concave The y-intercept is the ordered
2𝑎 down
substitute that value into the
pair (0, 𝑐)
equation and solve for y.
Vertex is the ordered pair (𝑥, 𝑦)
Factored Form f ( x) a( x r1 )( x r2 ), wherea 0
Axis of Symmetry x-intercepts Concavity Vertex y-intercepts
𝑟1 +𝑟2
Use 𝑥 = to determine the
2
𝑟1 + 𝑟2 (𝑟1 , 0), (𝑟2 , 0) 𝑎 > 0 graph is concave up
x-coordinate of the vertex.
Substitute zero for x and solve
𝑥= 𝑎 < 0 graph is concave for y.
2 down
Substitute that value into the
y-intercept is the ordered pair
equation and solve for y.
(0, 𝑦)
The vertex is the ordered pair
(𝑥, 𝑦)
Vertex Form f ( x) a( x h)2 k , wherea 0
Axis of Symmetry x-intercepts Concavity Vertex y-intercepts
𝑥=ℎ Substitute zero for y and 𝑎 > 0 graph is concave up (ℎ, 𝑘) Substitute zero for x and solve
solve for x. 𝑎 < 0 graph is concave for y.
x-intercepts are the ordered down y-intercept is the ordered pair
pair(s) (𝑥, 0) (0, 𝑦)
