Quadratic Functions, Quadratic

Expressions, Quadratic Equations

Definition: A quadratic function is a function
of the form
2

f ( x) ax bx c

where a, b, c are real numbers and a 0.

The expression on the right-hand-side

ax bx c
2

is call a quadratic expression.

Quadratic Expressions: Factored Form

Examples
:1. x 2 5 x 6

( x 2)( x 3)
quadratic exp.
factored form

2. 2 x 2 5 x 3

quadratic exp.

(2 x 1)( x 3)
factored form

Factoring quadratic expressions:

Given ax
integers.

bx c

Case 1: a = 1;
Since

where a, b, c are

x bx c
2

( x p )( x q ) x( x q ) p( x q )
x qx px pq
2

x ( p q ) x pq
2

we have

x bx c ( x p )( x q )
2

if and only if
b p q and c pq

Examples:

x 6x 8
2

x 2 x 15
2

x 7 x 12
2

x 6x 5
2

Case 2: ax bx c
integers and a 1.
2

where a, b, c are

Since

(rx p )( sx q) rsx rqx psx pq

2

rsx (rq ps ) x pq
2

we have

ax bx c (rx p )( sx q )
2

if and only if
rs a, rq ps b, pq c

Examples:

2 x 5x 3
2

3 x 16 x 5
2

6x 7x 3
2

Quadratic Equations:
A quadratic equation is an equation of the
form:

ax bx c 0
2

Problem: Find the real numbers x, if

any, that satisfy the equation.
The numbers that satisfy the equation are
called solutions or roots.

Methods of Solution:

ax bx c 0
2

Method 1: Factor

ax bx c
2

If ax bx c (rx p )( sx q )
2

then the solutions (roots) of the equation

are

p
x1
r

and

q
x2
s

Examples:

x 2 x 15 0
2

( x 5)( x 3) 0
x 5, x 3
2x2 7 x 3 0
(2 x 1)( x 3) 0
1
x 3, x
2

Method 2: Use the QUADRATIC FORMULA

The real number solutions (roots) of the
quadratic equation

ax bx c 0
2

are:

b b 4ac
b b 4ac
x1
, x2
2a
2a
2

provided

b 4ac 0.
2

The quadratic formula is often written as

b b 4ac
x
2a
2

The number b 4ac is called the

discriminant.
2

The Discriminant:
Given the quadratic equation

ax bx c 0.
2

If:

b 4ac 0,

the equation has real, unequal roots

b 4ac 0,

the equation has real, equal roots

b 4ac 0,

the equation has complex roots

2
2
2

(1) b 4ac 0 ;
2

the roots are:

b b 4ac
b b 4ac
x1
; x2
2a
2a
2

(2) b 4ac 0;
2

the roots are:

b
x1 x2
2a
2
(3) b 4ac 0; no real roots.

Examples:

2x 7x 3 0
2

(7) (7) 4(2)(3)

x
2(2)
2

7 49 24 7 25 7 5

4
4
4
75
7 5 1
x1
3, x2

4
4
2

x 3x 5 0
2

3 32 4(1)(5)
x
2(1)
3 29

2
3 29
x1
,
2

3 29
x2
2

3x 2 4 x 4 0
b 2 4ac (4) 2 4(3)(4) 16 48 32 0
No real roots.

Quadratic Functions:
The graph of f ( x) ax bx c is a
parabola. The graph looks like
2

if a > 0

if a < 0

Key features of the graph:

1. The maximum or minimum point on the
graph is called the vertex. The xcoordinate of the vertex is:

b
x
2a

f (b / 2a) is the y -coordinate of the vertex.

2. The y-intercept; the y-coordinate of the

point where the graph intersects the yaxis.
The y-intercept is: f (0) c.
3. The x-intercepts; the x-coordinates of
the points, if any, where the graph
intersects the x-axis. To find the xintercepts, solve the quadratic equation

ax bx c 0.
2

Examples:
Sketch the graph of

f ( x) x 2 x 8.
2

vertex:
b
2
x

1, f (1) 9; vertex (1, 9)

2a
2

y-intercept:

f (0) 8

x-intercepts: x 2 x 8 ( x 4)( x 2) 0
2

x 4, x 2.

2
f
(
x
)

x
4x 4
Sketch the graph of

4
Vertex: x
2, f (2) 0; (2,0)
2(1)
y-intercept:

f (0) 4

x-intercept(s): x 4 x 4 0
2

x 4 x 4 0; ( x 2) 0; x 2
2

Sketch the graph of

Vertex:

f ( x) x 2 4 x 5

4
x
2,
2(1)

y-intercept:

f (2) 1; (2,1)

f (0) 5

x-intercept(s): x 2 4 x 5 0 has no real solutions.