LESSON NO.

11: QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS

A function 𝑓 is a quadratic function defined by 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 (standard form) where

𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are real numbers and 𝑎 ≠ 0. It is also a second-degree polynomial function.
A quadratic function can be represented using a table of values, a graph, or an equation. But how
can we identify whether a given table, graph, or equation represents a quadratic function?

Identifying Quadratic Function by Table of Values

• Table of Values is a graphic organizer or chart that helps you determine two or
more points that can be used to create a graph.
• Second Difference Test
o A relation 𝑓 is a quadratic function if equal differences in the independent
variable 𝑥 produce nonzero equal second differences in the function value
𝑓(𝑥).
Examples: Determine whether each relation is a quadratic function or not.

Identifying Quadratic Function by Graph

• The graph of a quadratic equation is called Parabola.
• All parabolas are vaguely “U” shaped, and they will have a highest or lowest
point that is called the vertex.
• Parabolas may open-up or down. It opens upward when the value of 𝑎 > 0,
and opens downward if 𝑎 < 0.
• We make use of Cartesian Plane to graph.
Identifying Quadratic Function by Equation
According to the definition of a Quadratic Function, the coefficient of the
second-degree term must be a non-zero.
Examples: Identify which of the following are quadratic functions.

1. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 5𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3

The function 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 5𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3 is of the form 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 +

𝑐. Since 𝑎 = 5 ≠ 0, and 𝑓(𝑥) is of the second degree, then it is a
quadratic function.

2. 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 9𝑥(𝑥 + 8)

Expanding the right side of the given function gives:

𝑔(𝑥 ) = 9𝑥(𝑥 + 8)
𝑔(𝑥) = 9𝑥 2 + 72𝑥
Since 𝑎 = 9 ≠ 0, and 𝑔(𝑥) is of the second degree, then it is a quadratic
function.
3. ℎ(𝑥 ) = −𝑥(3𝑥 + 7)2

Expanding the right side of the given function:

ℎ(𝑥 ) = −𝑥(3𝑥 + 7)2
= −𝑥(3𝑥 + 7)(3𝑥 + 7)
= −𝑥(9𝑥 2 + 42𝑥 + 49)
= −9𝑥 3 − 42𝑥 2 − 49𝑥
ℎ(𝑥) is of the third degree. Hence, ℎ(𝑥) is not a quadratic function.

4. 𝐹 (𝑥 ) = 9(𝑥 − 3)2 + 7

Expanding the right side of the given function:

𝐹 (𝑥 ) = 9(𝑥 − 3)2 + 7
= 9(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 3) + 7
= 9(𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9) + 7
= 9𝑥 2 − 54𝑥 + 81 + 7
= 9𝑥 2 − 54𝑥 + 88
Since 𝑎 = 9 ≠ 0, and 𝐹(𝑥) is of degree 2, then 𝐹(𝑥)is a quadratic
function.

Transforming quadratic function from standard form to vertex form or vice versa:
Standard Form: 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
Vertex Form: 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘
Examples:
1. 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 10 2. 𝑦 = 3(𝑥 − 2)2 − 4
∎Transform into 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘 ∎ Transform into 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
𝑦 = (2𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 ) − 10 𝑦 = 3(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4) − 4
𝑦 = 2(𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 ) − 10 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 12 − 4
𝑦 = 2(𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4) − 10 − 8 𝒚 = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟐𝒙 + 𝟖
𝒚 = 𝟐(𝒙 + 𝟐)𝟐 − 𝟏𝟖

The graph of a quadratic function is a U-shaped curve called parabola. To sketch the
graph of quadratic functions, let us consider the following properties:
Properties of Graphs of Quadratic Functions
1. Direction of the Parabola

The parabola may open upward or downward

depending on the sign of the leading coefficient of
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐. If 𝑎 > 0, then the parabola open up
and if 𝑎 < 0, then the parabola open down.

2. Intercepts
The 𝒙 − intercepts of the parabola are where the
parabola intersects the 𝑥 −axis. The points where
the parabola intersect at 𝑥 − axis are found by
setting the function equal to zero and solving for
the 𝑥.

The 𝐲 −intercept of a function is the point where

the graph crosses the 𝑦 − axis. The 𝑦 − intercept
of 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 is the point (0, 𝑐).

3. Axis of symmetry
Every parabola has a vertical line that divides it into two symmetrical halves.
The vertical line is called the axis of symmetry. If the quadratic function is
written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 the axis of symmetry can be obtained using
𝒃
the formula, 𝒙 = − . Meanwhile, if the quadratic function is written in the form
𝟐𝒂
𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘 the axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = ℎ.

4. Vertex
If the parabola opens upward, the vertex is the minimum point and if the
parabola opens downward, the vertex is the maximum point. The vertex of the
quadratic function 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 can be obtained by rewriting the function in
the form 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘, where (ℎ, 𝑘) is the vertex. The value of h and k can
𝑏 𝑏2
also be computed using these formulas: ℎ = − and 𝑘 = 𝑐 − .
2𝑎 4𝑎

5. Domain and Range

The domain of quadratic function is always element of real numbers or
{𝒙|𝒙 ∈ 𝕽}. Meanwhile, the range of the quadratic function 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 is
𝑏2
{𝑦|𝑦 ≥ 𝑘} when 𝑎 > 0 or {𝑦|𝑦 ≤ 𝑘} when 𝑎 < 0, where 𝑘 = 𝑐 − .
4𝑎

Example 1: Sketch the graph of quadratic function 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5.

Solution:
Step 1. Determine the direction of the parabola.
Since the leading coefficient (a) of the quadratic function is 1 and a positive,
then the parabola opens upward.

Step 2: Find the intercepts.

For 𝑦 − intercept, let 𝑥 = 0 and solve for 𝑦.
𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 4𝑥 − 5 → 𝑦 = 02 − 4(0) − 5 → 𝒚 = −𝟓
y-intercept: (𝟎, −𝟓)

For 𝑥 − intercepts, let 𝑦 = 0 and solve for x.

𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5 = 0
 (𝑥 − 5) (𝑥 + 1) = 0
𝑥−5= 0 𝑥+1=0
𝑥 =5 𝑥 = −1
𝒙 − intercepts: (𝟓, 𝟎) and (−𝟏, 𝟎)

Step 3: Transform the given function to vertex form: 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 2)2 − 9

Vertex of the parabola: (𝟐, −𝟗)

𝑏
Step 4: Determine the axis of symmetry. Use the formula 𝑥 = − .
2𝑎
𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 4𝑥 − 5, 𝑎 = 1 and 𝑏 = −4
−4
𝑥=− → 𝒙=𝟐
2(1)

Step 5: Determine the domain and range.

Domain: {𝑥|𝑥 ∈ ℜ}
Range: {𝑦|𝑦 ≥ −9}

Step 6: Sketch the graph.

Plot the points in the Cartesian coordinate plane:
(2, −9), (0, −5), (5,0),(−1,0)
Connect the points with smooth curve.

Example 2: given the quadratic function 𝑓(𝑥) = −2𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 10, answer the following:

a. Does the graph of the function open upward or downward?

b. What are the interceptions?
c. What is the vertex?
d. What is the axis of symmetry?
e. What is the domain?
f. What is the range?
g. What does the graph look like?
h. What is the maximum Value?

Let us answer the questions above.

a. If 𝑎 > 0 or positive, then the graph opens upward. If 𝑎 < 0 or negative, then the
graph opens downward. In the given function, the leading coefficient (a) is −2.
Therefore, the graph of the function opens downward.
b. The table below will show how to determine the 𝑦- and 𝑥-intercepts.

𝒙 − intercept 𝒚 − intercept
𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒚 = 𝟎, solve for 𝒙 Let 𝑥 = 0, Solve for 𝑦.
(use any methods of solving
quadratic equations) 𝑓(0) = −2(0)2 + 12(0) − 10
−𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟎 𝑓(0) = 0 + 0 − 10
(𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎)(−𝒙 + 𝟏) = 𝟎
𝑓(0) = −10
𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟎 ; −𝒙 + 𝟏 = 𝟎
𝟐𝒙 = 𝟏𝟎 ; −𝒙 = −𝟏
𝒙=𝟓 ;𝒙 = 𝟏
𝒙-intercepts: (𝟓, 𝟎) and (𝟏, 𝟎) 𝒚-intercept: (𝟎, −𝟏𝟎)

c. There are two ways of finding the vertex, first transforming the given function
into vertex form and second use the formula.

Vertex from: 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒂(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + 𝒌 Formula: 𝒉 = −

𝒃
, 𝒌=𝒄−
𝒃𝟐
𝟐𝒂 𝟒𝒂
Given: 𝒇(𝒙) = −𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎
Given: 𝒇(𝒙) = −𝟐𝒙𝟐
+ 𝟏𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎
𝑎 = −2, 𝑏 = 12, 𝑐 = −10
𝒇(𝒙) = (−𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟐𝒙) − 𝟏𝟎 12 122
ℎ=− ; 𝑘 = −10 −
2(−2) 4(−2)
𝒇(𝒙) = −𝟐(𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙) − 𝟏𝟎 −12 144
ℎ= ; 𝑘 = −10 −
𝒇(𝒙) = −𝟐(𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟗) − 𝟏𝟎 − (−𝟏𝟖) −4 −8
ℎ=3 ; 𝑘 = −10 + 18
𝒇(𝒙) = −𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟑)𝟐 + 𝟖
;𝑘=8
Vertex: (𝟑, 𝟖) Vertex: (𝟑, 𝟖)

𝑏
d. The axis of symmetry can be determined by 𝑥 = − . So, the axis of symmetry of
2𝑎
the function 𝒇(𝒙) = −𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎 is 𝒙 = 𝟑.
12 12
Solution: ℎ = − → ℎ=− →𝒙=𝟑
2(−2) −4

e. The domain of a quadratic function in standard form is always all real numbers.
So, the domain of the given function
𝑓(𝑥) = −2𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 −10 is 𝑫 = ℝ = {𝒙|𝒙 ∈ ℝ}.
f. The range of quadratic function is 𝑦 ≥ 𝑘,
when 𝑎 > 0 or 𝑦 ≤ 𝑘 when 𝑎 < 0, where
𝑏2
𝑘=𝑐− . The range of the given function
4𝑎
𝑓(𝑥) = −2𝑥2 + 12𝑥 − 10 is 𝑹 = {𝒚|𝒚 ≤ 𝟖}.

g. To visualize the graph of the quadratic

function, we must plot the vertex, intercept
and use the axis of symmetry to determine the
other points of the parabola. The graph is
shown at the right.

h. The maximum value of the function is the

place where a function reaches its highest point or vertex on the graph. In this
function, the maximum value is 𝑦 = 8.
Note: The minimum/maximum value of the function is the value of 𝑦 of the
vertex.