DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

MAT111 INTRODUCTORY MATHEMATICS I

WEEK 5: LECTURE NOTE

QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS
Definition 1 (Quadratic Function). Let a, b and c be real numbers with a 6= 0. The
function given by
f (x) = ax2 + bx + c
is called a quadratic function.
Properties of Quadratic Functions
1. The graph of a quadratic function is a special type of U-shaped curve called a
parabola that opens upward or downward. Parabolas occur in many real-life
applications, especially those involving reflective properties, such as satellite dishes
or flashlight reflectors.

2. All parabolas are symmetric with respect to a line called the axis of symmetry,
or simply the axis of the parabola.

3. The point where the axis intersects the parabola is called the vertex of the
parabola.

Downward Parabola Upward Parabola

Vertex: (h, k)

Vertex: (h, k)

Axis of symmetry Axis of symmetry

• Domain of a Quadratic Function is R = (−∞, ∞).

• Range of upward parabola is [k, ∞).

• Range of downward parabola is (−∞, k].

Example 2 (THE PARENT QUADRATIC FUNCTION f (x) = x2 ). The basic charac-

teristics of parent quadratic function f (x) = x2
1
 y
f (x) = x2
2

x
−1 1 2

Domain: (−∞, ∞)
Range: [0, ∞)
Intercept: (0, 0)
Axis of symmetry: y-axis
Vertex: (0, 0)

Intercepts of the Graph of a Quadratic Function

Consider the general quadratic function

f (x) = ax2 + bx + c, a 6= 0.

Then obviously the y-intercept of the graph is the point (0, c). To find x-intercepts (if
any) we solve the quadratic equation

ax2 + bx + c = 0.

We have the following methods to solve this equation:

1. Factorizing: Rewriting as (x − p)(x − q) = 0 if possible.

!2
b b2 − 4ac
2. Completing the Square: Rewriting as x + =
2a 4a2
3. Quadratic Formula: √
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
2a
Note that it follows from Quadratic Formula that the graph has no x-intercepts in cases
b2 − 4ac < 0.

Definition 3 (Standard Form of a Quadratic Function). The quadratic function given

by
f (x) = a(x − h)2 + k
is in standard form. The graph of f is a parabola whose axis is the vertical line x = h
and whose vertex is the point (h, k). When a > 0 the parabola opens upward, and when
a < 0, the parabola opens downward.

2
 f (x) = a(x − h)2 + k, a < 0 f (x) = a(x − h)2 + k, a > 0

(h, K)

(h, k)
Axis of symmetry: x = h Axis of symmetry: x = h

Example 4 (Writing the Equation of a Parabola in Standard Form). Write the standard
form of the equation of the parabola whose vertex is (1, 2) and that passes through the
point (3, −6).
Solution. Because the vertex of the parabola is (h, k) = (1, 2), substituting for h and k
in standard form, the equation has the form f (x) = a(x − 1)2 + 2. Because the parabola
passes through the point (3, −6), it follows that f (3) = −6. So, we obtain
f (x) = a(x − 1)2 + 2 Write in standard form.
− 6 = a(3 − 1)2 + 2 Substitute -6 for f (x) and 3 for x
− 6 = 4a + 2 Simplify.
− 8 = 4a Subtract 2 from each side.
−2 =a Divide each side by 4.

The equation in standard form is f (x) = −2(x − 1)2 + 2.

By completing the square of the quadratic function f (x) = ax2 +bx+c, we can rewrite
the function in standard form.
f (x) = ax2 + bx + c Write Original Equation
= (ax2 + bx) + c Group x − terms
!
b2
=a x + x +c Factor a out of x − terms
a
!
2 b b2 b2
=a x + x+ 2 − 2 +c Completing the Square
a 4a 4a
!2 !
b b2
=a x+ + c− Simplify
2a 4a
Therefore, the standard form is
!2 !
b b2
f (x) = a x + + c−
2a 4a
with vertex !
b b2
− ,c − .
2a 4a
3
 PROPERTIES OF THE GENERAL QUADRATIC FUNCTION

f (x) = ax2 + bx + c

◮ The vertex of the graph of f is

!
b b2
− ,c − .
2a 4a

◮ If a > 0, then

(a) the parabola opens upward.

" !
b2
(b) the range of f is c − , ∞ .
4a
b
(c) f has the minimum value at x = − .
2a
(d) The minimum value is
b b2
f (− )=c− .
2a 4a
◮ If a < 0, then

(a) the parabola opens downward.

(b) the range of f is #
b2
−∞, c − .
4a
b
(c) f has the maximum value at x = − .
2a
(d) The maximum value is
b b2
f (− )=c− .
2a 4a
Example 5 (Identifying the Vertex of a Quadratic Function). Describe the graph of
f (x) = 2x2 + 8x + 7 and identify the vertex.
Solution. Write the quadratic function in standard form by completing the square. Recall
that the first step is to factor out any coefficient of x2 that is not 1.

f (x) = 2x2 + 8x + 7 Write original function.

= (2x2 + 8x) + 7 Group x-terms.
= 2(x2 + 4x) + 7 Factor 2 out of x-terms.
= 2(x2 + 4x + 22 − 22 ) + 7 Complete the Square.
= 2(x2 + 4x + 4 − 4) + 7 Simplify.
= 2(x2 + 4x + 4) − 8 + 7 Regroup terms.
= 2(x + 2)2 − 1 Write in Standard Form.

From the standard form, we can see that the graph of f is a parabola that opens upward
with vertex (−2, −1) as shown in the graph below.

4
 y
10

8
f (x) = 2x2 + 8x + 7
6

2
x
−4 −2 2 4 6 8
−2

Minimum value: f (−2) = −1

Axis of symmetry: x = −2