Exploring Quadratic Functions

  1. What is a quadratic function?
    A quadratic function is a relation that can be written in standard form:
    ax^2 + bx + 1
    Where a is not equal to zero.
    Example: 8x^2 + 9x + 3
  2. Using desmos, graph: y = ax^2 +bx + c
    The sliders are at a=1, b=0, c=0 in the photo below, the graph is shown and  you can see clear symmetry.
  3. a Now, a < 0, so I filled it in with -6.
    Now the equation is y = -6x^2 + bx + c
    The graph now has a maximum point of zero. That’s the highest point that the graph goes to. Since the graph infinitely continues, there is no minimum point.

    b.  when a > 0, the graph is switched. I made a = 8. The lines on the graph now start at zero, and expand outwards toward the positive. The minimum point is zero, and there is no maximum point.

    c. now -1 < a < 1. So, a is just zero. The graph is identical to the first graph, since it’s just representing the original standard form equation.

    d. when a < 1, i chose -5 to be a. It looks similar to the second graph.

  4. By changing a into a positive, the shape of the graph opens up into the positives.
    By changing a into a negative, the shape of the graph opens down into the negatives.
  5. When changing the value of b, the shape of the graph’s symmetry changes.
  6.  When changing the value of c, the y intercept changes.
  7. An equation where the curve just touches the x axis:
    y = ax^2+6x+c
  8. An equation where you can get the roots of 1
    y = ax^2+bx+1
    An equation where you can get the roots of -1
    y = ax^2+bx-1
  9. An equation where he curve does not cross the x-axis
    y = ax^2+bx + 3

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