QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS

YEAR 11 METHODS
QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
• The graph of y = x2 is called a parabola.
• It is a symmetrical curve with an axis or line of symmetry at the y
axis.
• It has a turning point of (0,0) which is the minimum point of the
graph.
• The graph of any quadratic function (i.e y = ax2 + bx + c) is
always a parabola but that may be moved left, right, up, down,
flipped over, squeezed or stretched.
• For larger and larger positive x values, y takes even larger positive
values. We say that as x approaches infinity then y approaches
infinity. This is written as
• Similarly as as
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS

• Whether a function is a quadratic function can be determined from the table

of values.
• If the second difference is constant, then the function is quadratic.
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS

• The shape of the graphs of quadratic functions written in the form

y = a(x – p)2 + q may change depending on the values of a , p and q.

• Complete Exercise 5A to revise what these effects are.

Important points on a parabola
• The turning point (T.P)
• The nature of the T.P – maximum,
concave down
– minimum,
concave up
• The line or axis of symmetry (L.O.S.)
written in the form x= ____.
• The y-intercept
• The x-intercepts (may be 1, 2 or none.)
• How the function behaves as
 The graph of
Many key features of the parabola are able to be determined from the quadratic equation in this
form.

Opposite p and original

q will give the turning
When a<0 the p with the point (p.q)
parabola will have a opposite
maximum turning sign shown
point. will be the
Line Of
When a>0 the Symmetry
parabola will have a Eg: x=p
minimum turning
point.
 can also explain how the graph of
has been transformed.

𝑦 =𝑎 ¿
How the graph of
has been made
thinner (steeper) or
wider (less steep).
When a>1 the graph
gets thinner, and
when 0<a<1 the
graph gets wider.
How far the graph of has
been translated horizontally.
Note it is always the opposite
direction of the term in the
bracket.
Eg (x-3) would go to positive
3 on the x axis.
How far the graph
of

up or down (the
same value as q) Eg
+9 mean up 9 and -
7 means down 7.
 y = x2
Quadratic functions
The curves A, B and C are identical in shape to the curve
shown in bold, though B and C are upside down versions.
The bold curve has the equation y = x2.

What are the equations of:

A?
y = (x – 3)2 + 1
B?
y = - x2
C?
y = - (x + 2)2 + 6
Quadratic Functions
Given that each of the following graphs show quadratic functions determine the rule for
each function.

1. 2.

y = -(x + 4)2 + 15

y = 2(x – 3)2 - 5
 Quadratic Functions
1.

2.
Quadratic Functions

• Complete exercise 5B
Important points on a parabola
• The turning point (T.P)
• The nature of the T.P – maximum,
concave down
– minimum,
concave up
• The line or axis of symmetry (L.O.S.)
written in the form x= ____.
• The y-intercept
• The x-intercepts (may be 1, 2 or none.)
• How the function behaves as
 Determining key features from a rule
• Quadratic functions come in three forms:

• Turning Point form

It is easiest to find the turning point in this form (p, q).
The line of symmetry is x=p

• Factored form:
It is easiest to find the roots or solutions. This is where the parabola cuts the x-axis. (x-intercepts.)
(p,0) and (q,0)

• General form:
It is easiest to find the y-intercept (0, c)
Rule given in the form y = a(x – p)2 + c

• Line of Symmetry: x=p

• Turning point: if a>0 then a minimum turning point at (p,q)
if a<0 then a maximum turning point at (p,q)
• y-intercept: All points on the y axis have an x-coordinate
of zero. Hence substituting x=0 into the
equation determines the y intercept.
Rule given in the form y = a(x – p)2 + c

• For the graph of y = 3(x – 1)2 + 4 determine

• The equation of the line of symmetry
• The coordinates of the maximum/minimum turning point, stating which of these it
is.
• The coordinates where the graph cuts the y-axis.
• Show these features on a sketch of the graph y = 3(x – 1)2 + 4.
Rule given in the form y = a(x – p)2 + c
y

10

-10 -5 5 10 x

-5

-10
 Rule given in the form y = a(x – p)(x – q)
• y-intercept: All points on the y axis have an x-coordinate of zero. Hence substituting x=0 into the equation
allows the y intercept to be determined.

• x-intercept(s): If x = p, then y=0. If x = q, then y=0

A point with a y-coordinate of zero must lie on the x-axis.

Hence the graph cuts the x-axis at (p,0) and (q,0)

• Line of Symmetry: The line of symmetry must cut the x-axis midway between these two points. The equation
of the line of symmetry can then be determined.

• Turning point: The turning point must lie on the line of symmetry. Substitute this value into the equation to
find the y-coordinate and therefore the turning point.
if a>0 then a minimum turning point.
Rule given in the form y = a(x – p)(x – q)
• For the graph of y = (x + 2) (x  4) determine
• The coordinates of the y-axis intercept
• The coordinates of the x-axis intercepts
• The equation of the line of symmetry
• The nature and location of the turning point.

• Show these features on a sketch of the curve y = (x + 2) (x  4)

Rule given in the form y = a(x – p)(x – q)
y

10

-10 -5 5 10 x

-5

-10
Rule given in the form y = ax2 + bx + c
• y-intercept: The y-intercept is when x=0. The coordinate of the
turning point will be (0,c)

• Line of Symmetry: The line of symmetry is found by substituting the

appropriate values into x = 

• Turning point: The turning point must lie on the line of symmetry.
Substitute this value into the equation to find the
y-coordinate and therefore the turning point.
if a>0 then a minimum turning point.
if a<0 then a maximum turning point
Rule given in the form y = ax2 + bx +c

• For the graph of y = x2 + 6x + 5 determine

• The equation of the line of symmetry
• The nature and location of the turning point
• The coordinates where the graph cuts the y-axis.

• Show these features on a sketch of the graph y = x2 + 6x + 5 .

Rule given in the form y = ax2 + bx +c
y

10

-10 -5 5 10 x

-5

-10
Quadratic Functions

• Complete Exercise 5C Questions 1 - 10

Quadratic Functions

• The height (h metres) of a soccer ball in flight is

given by h = 0.008x(x  40) for x≥0, where x (metres) is the horizontal
distance travelled from the point where the ball was kicked. Assume that the
ball travels in a vertical plane.
Find:
• the maximum height reached by the ball
• the horizontal distance travelled by the ball if it was not intercepted during its flight.
• the horizontal distance travelled by the ball if it was intercepted at a height of 2m
• x when the ball was more than 1 metre above the ground
Quadratic
Functions
Quadratic Functions
• The height (h metres) of a cricket ball in flight is given by
for where (metres) is the horizontal distance travelled from the point where
the ball struck the bat. Assume that the ball travels in a vertical plane.
• On the axes provided, sketch the path of the cricket ball.
Find:
• the height at which the ball was struck
• the maximum height of the ball
• the horizontal distance travelled by the ball if it was caught when it was 2m above the
ground.
Quadratic Functions
Quadratic Functions

• Complete Exercise 5C
Finding the quadratic rule from a table of values.
As discussed earlier, the second difference pattern for a quadratic function will be constant.

Note: Ensure that the x values are in order.

Finding the quadratic rule from a table of values.
• Consider the table of values for the general quadratic
• It would look something like this:
 Finding the quadratic rule from a table of values.
• Now compare the two tables.
 Finding the quadratic rule from a table of values.
• The constant second difference pattern confirms the relationship is quadratic.
• Compare the constant difference of 4 with 2a. This gives us a = 2.
• From the general quadratic we see that when x=0, y=c. Therefore c = 1.
• When x = 1, the general quadratic indicates that the y value is a + b + c.
If in the second table a + b + c = -3 and we know a = 2 and c = 1, then
2+ b + 1= -3 means that b = -6. OR
• a + b = first difference between 0 and 1. So 2 + b = -4, b = -6
• Therefore our equation is 2x2 – 6x + 1 = 0.
Finding the quadratic rule from a table of values.
• Find the quadratic rule for the following:

• SOLUTION:
x2 + 4x – 2 = y
Finding the quadratic rule from a table of values.
• Find the quadratic rule for the following:

• Notice that the x values are not in order. Rewrite the table with correct
order. Then find the difference pattern and work it back to when x=0.

• SOLUTION:

2a=-2 so a=-1 a+b=4 -1+b=4 so b=5 c=-2

Therefore the rule is
Finding the quadratic rule from a table of values:
An alternative method
X 1 2 3 4 5 6
y 12 6 4 6 12 22

LOS x=3

Because of the symmetrical nature of parabolas, we can see that the LOS would be x=3,
and the TP is (3,4). We then substitute these values into the turning point form of a
quadratic equation:

Now substitute in any point for the x and y values to solve for a:
12
 Finding the quadratic rule from a table of values:
Going up by 2

X 1 3 5 7 9 11
y -4 -4 4 20 44 76

It is very difficult to work this backwards to x=0, so we can solve simultaneous equations to find a, b and c.

-4 (for the point (1,- 4)

-4 (for the point (3,-4)
4 (for the point (5,4)

a=1 b= -4 c=-1

Therefore the rule is

Quadratic Functions

• Do Exercise 5D
Quadratic Functions
• Quadratic equations in turning point form are the easiest to draw.

• We can rewrite equations in general form in this way by completing the

square.
Quadratic Functions
• In order to complete the square;
• Ensure that the coefficient of the x2 term is 1
• Add in and at the same time take out half the coefficient of x that has been squared.
• The first three terms will then form a perfect square
• Factorise and simplify remaining terms
 Completing the square

Eg: Take the value of b (the

coefficient , halve it then square
it. Put this into the equation and
then take it out of the equation.
=2 = 4

Now factorise the first 3 terms

and simplify the last 2 terms.
 Completing the square

Eg:
Take the value of b (the coefficient ,
halve it then square it. Put this into the
equation and then take it out of the
equation. = -6 = 36

Now factorise the first 3 terms

and simplify the last 2 terms.
 Completing the square

Eg: Take the value of b (the coefficient , halve it

then square it. Put this into the equation and
then take it out of the equation. = 2 =

Now factorise the first 3 terms

and simplify the last 2 terms.
 Completing the square

Ensure that the coefficient of the

x2 term is 1 by taking out a
Eg: common factor of 2

Take the value of b (the coefficient , halve it

then square it. Put this into the equation and
1)2 1 then take it out of the equation. = 2 = 1

Now factorise the first 3 terms

and simplify the last 2 terms.
Completing the Square

• Do Exercise 5E