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Amy Ferguson Moncure

H Algebra 2/Trig · Unit 2

Equations from Graphs

Read each graph. Use the labeled roots or the labeled vertex to find a, then write the equation in standard form.

Jump to section:

y = ax² + bx + c

find a, then write standard form

Given Roots
The roots are labeled. One other point is labeled. Write root form, find a, then standard form.
−4−3−112356−10−6−4−22−24(0, −8)

The x-intercepts are the roots.

x = −2, so (x + 2) is a factor.

x = 4, so (x − 4) is a factor.

The labeled point is (0, −8).

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = a(x + 2)(x − 4)

Substitute (0, −8).

−8 = a(0 + 2)(0 − 4)

−8 = a(2)(−4)

−8 = −8a

Divide both sides by −8.

a = −8−8

a = 1

y = 1(x + 2)(x − 4)

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = (x + 2)(x − 4)

Multiply the binomials.

(x + 2)(x − 4)

x² − 4x + 2x − 8

x² − 2x − 8

Distribute the a-value.

a = 1

y = 1(x² − 2x − 8)

y = x² − 2x − 8
Medium 1

Given Roots

The roots are labeled, and one other point is labeled. Write the equation in root form, solve for a, then write the equation in standard form.

1
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola. The roots are labeled. Use the labeled point to find a.
−3−21245−6−5−4−2−112−13(0, −3)
Show Answer

The x-intercepts are the roots.

x = −1, so (x + 1) is a factor.

x = 3, so (x − 3) is a factor.

The labeled point is (0, −3).

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = a(x + 1)(x − 3)

Substitute (0, −3).

−3 = a(0 + 1)(0 − 3)

−3 = a(1)(−3)

−3 = −3a

Divide both sides by −3.

a = −3−3

a = 1

y = 1(x + 1)(x − 3)

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = (x + 1)(x − 3)

Multiply the binomials.

(x + 1)(x − 3)

x² − 3x + x − 3

x² − 2x − 3

Distribute the a-value.

a = 1

y = 1(x² − 2x − 3)

y = x² − 2x − 3

Answer: y = x² − 2x − 3

2
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola. The roots are labeled. Use the labeled point to find a.
−2−1245−4−3−2−11234567813(0, 6)
Show Answer

The x-intercepts are the roots.

x = 1, so (x − 1) is a factor.

x = 3, so (x − 3) is a factor.

The labeled point is (0, 6).

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = a(x − 1)(x − 3)

Substitute (0, 6).

6 = a(0 − 1)(0 − 3)

6 = a(−1)(−3)

6 = 3a

Divide both sides by 3.

a = 63

a = 2

y = 2(x − 1)(x − 3)

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = 2(x − 1)(x − 3)

Multiply the binomials.

(x − 1)(x − 3)

x² − 3x − x + 3

x² − 4x + 3

Distribute the a-value.

a = 2

y = 2(x² − 4x + 3)

y = 2x² − 8x + 6

Answer: y = 2x² − 8x + 6

3
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola. The roots are labeled. Use the labeled point to find a.
−4−3−1134−2−1123456−22(1, 3)
Show Answer

The x-intercepts are the roots.

x = −2, so (x + 2) is a factor.

x = 2, so (x − 2) is a factor.

The labeled point is (1, 3).

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = a(x + 2)(x − 2)

Substitute (1, 3).

3 = a(1 + 2)(1 − 2)

3 = a(3)(−1)

3 = −3a

Divide both sides by −3.

a = 3−3

a = −1

y = −1(x + 2)(x − 2)

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = −(x + 2)(x − 2)

Multiply the binomials.

(x + 2)(x − 2)

x² − 2x + 2x − 4

x² − 4

Distribute the a-value.

a = −1

y = −1(x² − 4)

y = −x² + 4

Answer: y = −x² + 4

4
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola. The roots are labeled. Use the labeled point to find a.
−5−4−212−8−7−6−5−4−3−21234−3−1(0, −6)
Show Answer

The x-intercepts are the roots.

x = −3, so (x + 3) is a factor.

x = −1, so (x + 1) is a factor.

The labeled point is (0, −6).

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = a(x + 3)(x + 1)

Substitute (0, −6).

−6 = a(0 + 3)(0 + 1)

−6 = a(3)(1)

−6 = 3a

Divide both sides by 3.

a = −63

a = −2

y = −2(x + 3)(x + 1)

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = −2(x + 3)(x + 1)

Multiply the binomials.

(x + 3)(x + 1)

x² + x + 3x + 3

x² + 4x + 3

Distribute the a-value.

a = −2

y = −2(x² + 4x + 3)

y = −2x² − 8x − 6

Answer: y = −2x² − 8x − 6

5
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola. The roots are labeled. Use the labeled point to find a.
−2−112356−2−112345604(3, 3)
Show Answer

The x-intercepts are the roots.

x = 0, so x is a factor.

x = 4, so (x − 4) is a factor.

The labeled point is (3, 3).

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = a(x)(x − 4)

Substitute (3, 3).

3 = a(3)(3 − 4)

3 = a(3)(−1)

3 = −3a

Divide both sides by −3.

a = 3−3

a = −1

y = −1(x)(x − 4)

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = −x(x − 4)

Multiply the binomials.

x(x − 4)

x² − 4x

Distribute the a-value.

a = −1

y = −1(x² − 4x)

y = −x² + 4x

Answer: y = −x² + 4x

Medium 2

Given Vertex

The vertex and one other point are labeled. Write the equation in vertex form, solve for a, then write the equation in standard form.

Given Vertex
The vertex and one other point are labeled. Write vertex form, find a, then standard form.
−2−11567−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−112vertex(3, −2)(5, −6)

The formula is

y = a(x − h)² + k

Vertex (3, −2).

Inside the parentheses, move left and right, opposite of the inside.

Right 3 is (x − 3)².

Outside the parentheses, move up and down. It is what it is.

Down 2 is −2.

y = a(x − 3)² − 2

Substitute the point (5, −6).

−6 = a(5 − 3)² − 2

−6 = a(2)² − 2

−6 = 4a − 2

−6 + 2 = 4a

−4 = 4a

a = −44

a = −1

y = −(x − 3)² − 2

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

(x − h)² = (x − h)(x − h)

(x − 3)²

(x − 3)(x − 3)

y = −(x − 3)(x − 3) − 2

Multiply the binomials.

(x − 3)(x − 3)

x² − 3x − 3x + 9

x² − 6x + 9

Distribute the a-value.

a = −1

y = −1(x² − 6x + 9) − 2

y = −x² + 6x − 9 − 2

Combine like terms.

−9 − 2 = −11

y = −x² + 6x − 11
1
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola. The vertex and one other point are labeled.
−2−1123456−2−1123456789vertex(2, 3)(4, 7)
Show Answer

The formula is

y = a(x − h)² + k

Vertex (2, 3).

Inside the parentheses, move left and right, opposite of the inside.

Right 2 is (x − 2)².

Outside the parentheses, move up and down. It is what it is.

Up 3 is +3.

y = a(x − 2)² + 3

Substitute the point (4, 7).

7 = a(4 − 2)² + 3

7 = a(2)² + 3

7 = 4a + 3

7 − 3 = 4a

4 = 4a

a = 44

a = 1

y = (x − 2)² + 3

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

(x − h)² = (x − h)(x − h)

(x − 2)²

(x − 2)(x − 2)

y = (x − 2)(x − 2) + 3

Multiply the binomials.

(x − 2)(x − 2)

x² − 2x − 2x + 4

x² − 4x + 4

Distribute the a-value.

a = 1

y = 1(x² − 4x + 4) + 3

y = x² − 4x + 4 + 3

Combine like terms.

4 + 3 = 7

y = x² − 4x + 7

Answer: y = x² − 4x + 7

2
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola. The vertex and one other point are labeled.
−2−112345−22468101214vertex(1, 4)(3, 12)
Show Answer

The formula is

y = a(x − h)² + k

Vertex (1, 4).

Inside the parentheses, move left and right, opposite of the inside.

Right 1 is (x − 1)².

Outside the parentheses, move up and down. It is what it is.

Up 4 is +4.

y = a(x − 1)² + 4

Substitute the point (3, 12).

12 = a(3 − 1)² + 4

12 = a(2)² + 4

12 = 4a + 4

12 − 4 = 4a

8 = 4a

a = 84

a = 2

y = 2(x − 1)² + 4

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

(x − h)² = (x − h)(x − h)

(x − 1)²

(x − 1)(x − 1)

y = 2(x − 1)(x − 1) + 4

Multiply the binomials.

(x − 1)(x − 1)

x² − x − x + 1

x² − 2x + 1

Distribute the a-value.

a = 2

y = 2(x² − 2x + 1) + 4

y = 2x² − 4x + 2 + 4

Combine like terms.

2 + 4 = 6

y = 2x² − 4x + 6

Answer: y = 2x² − 4x + 6

3
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola. The vertex and one other point are labeled.
−3−2−123−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−112vertex(1, −2)(−1, −6)
Show Answer

The formula is

y = a(x − h)² + k

Vertex (1, −2).

Inside the parentheses, move left and right, opposite of the inside.

Right 1 is (x − 1)².

Outside the parentheses, move up and down. It is what it is.

Down 2 is −2.

y = a(x − 1)² − 2

Substitute the point (−1, −6).

−6 = a(−1 − 1)² − 2

−6 = a(−2)² − 2

−6 = 4a − 2

−6 + 2 = 4a

−4 = 4a

a = −44

a = −1

y = −(x − 1)² − 2

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

(x − h)² = (x − h)(x − h)

(x − 1)²

(x − 1)(x − 1)

y = −(x − 1)(x − 1) − 2

Multiply the binomials.

(x − 1)(x − 1)

x² − x − x + 1

x² − 2x + 1

Distribute the a-value.

a = −1

y = −1(x² − 2x + 1) − 2

y = −x² + 2x − 1 − 2

Combine like terms.

−1 − 2 = −3

y = −x² + 2x − 3

Answer: y = −x² + 2x − 3

4
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola. The vertex and one other point are labeled.
−3123−12−10−8−6−4−22vertex(−1, −2)(1, −10)
Show Answer

The formula is

y = a(x − h)² + k

Vertex (−1, −2).

Inside the parentheses, move left and right, opposite of the inside.

Left 1 is (x + 1)².

Outside the parentheses, move up and down. It is what it is.

Down 2 is −2.

y = a(x + 1)² − 2

Substitute the point (1, −10).

−10 = a(1 + 1)² − 2

−10 = a(2)² − 2

−10 = 4a − 2

−10 + 2 = 4a

−8 = 4a

a = −84

a = −2

y = −2(x + 1)² − 2

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

(x − h)² = (x − h)(x − h)

(x + 1)²

(x + 1)(x + 1)

y = −2(x + 1)(x + 1) − 2

Multiply the binomials.

(x + 1)(x + 1)

x² + x + x + 1

x² + 2x + 1

Distribute the a-value.

a = −2

y = −2(x² + 2x + 1) − 2

y = −2x² − 4x − 2 − 2

Combine like terms.

−2 − 2 = −4

y = −2x² − 4x − 4

Answer: y = −2x² − 4x − 4

5
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola. The vertex and one other point are labeled.
−2−1456−7−6−5−4−3−2−112vertex(2, −1)(4, −5)
Show Answer

The formula is

y = a(x − h)² + k

Vertex (2, −1).

Inside the parentheses, move left and right, opposite of the inside.

Right 2 is (x − 2)².

Outside the parentheses, move up and down. It is what it is.

Down 1 is −1.

y = a(x − 2)² − 1

Substitute the point (4, −5).

−5 = a(4 − 2)² − 1

−5 = a(2)² − 1

−5 = 4a − 1

−5 + 1 = 4a

−4 = 4a

a = −44

a = −1

y = −(x − 2)² − 1

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

(x − h)² = (x − h)(x − h)

(x − 2)²

(x − 2)(x − 2)

y = −(x − 2)(x − 2) − 1

Multiply the binomials.

(x − 2)(x − 2)

x² − 2x − 2x + 4

x² − 4x + 4

Distribute the a-value.

a = −1

y = −1(x² − 4x + 4) − 1

y = −x² + 4x − 4 − 1

Combine like terms.

−4 − 1 = −5

y = −x² + 4x − 5

Answer: y = −x² + 4x − 5

Mixed

Mixed

Each graph gives either the roots and a point, or the vertex and a point. The parabola may open up or down. Write the equation in standard form.

1
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola.
−4−3−1123−3−2−112345−20(1, 3)
Show Answer

The x-intercepts are the roots.

x = −2, so (x + 2) is a factor.

x = 0, so x is a factor.

The labeled point is (1, 3).

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = a(x + 2)(x)

Substitute (1, 3).

3 = a(1 + 2)(1)

3 = a(3)(1)

3 = 3a

Divide both sides by 3.

a = 33

a = 1

y = 1(x + 2)(x)

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = (x + 2)x

Multiply the binomials.

(x + 2)x

x² + 2x

Distribute the a-value.

a = 1

y = 1(x² + 2x)

y = x² + 2x

Answer: y = x² + 2x

2
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola.
−4−3−2−112−224681012vertex(−2, 3)(0, 11)
Show Answer

The formula is

y = a(x − h)² + k

Vertex (−2, 3).

Inside the parentheses, move left and right, opposite of the inside.

Left 2 is (x + 2)².

Outside the parentheses, move up and down. It is what it is.

Up 3 is +3.

y = a(x + 2)² + 3

Substitute the point (0, 11).

11 = a(0 + 2)² + 3

11 = a(2)² + 3

11 = 4a + 3

11 − 3 = 4a

8 = 4a

a = 84

a = 2

y = 2(x + 2)² + 3

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

(x − h)² = (x − h)(x − h)

(x + 2)²

(x + 2)(x + 2)

y = 2(x + 2)(x + 2) + 3

Multiply the binomials.

(x + 2)(x + 2)

x² + 2x + 2x + 4

x² + 4x + 4

Distribute the a-value.

a = 2

y = 2(x² + 4x + 4) + 3

y = 2x² + 8x + 8 + 3

Combine like terms.

8 + 3 = 11

y = 2x² + 8x + 11

Answer: y = 2x² + 8x + 11

3
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola.
−21234−8−7−6−5−4−312vertex(0, −2)(2, −6)
Show Answer

The formula is

y = a(x − h)² + k

Vertex (0, −2).

Inside the parentheses, move left and right, opposite of the inside.

The vertex is on the y-axis, so the squared part is x².

Outside the parentheses, move up and down. It is what it is.

Down 2 is −2.

y = ax² − 2

Substitute the point (2, −6).

−6 = a(2)² − 2

−6 = 4a − 2

−6 + 2 = 4a

−4 = 4a

a = −44

a = −1

y = −x² − 2

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

(x − h)² = (x − h)(x − h)

x²

xx

y = −xx − 2

Multiply the binomials.

xx

x²

Distribute the a-value.

a = −1

y = −1(x²) − 2

y = −x² − 2

Answer: y = −x² − 2

4
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola.
−2−1134578−2−112345626(3, 3)
Show Answer

The x-intercepts are the roots.

x = 2, so (x − 2) is a factor.

x = 6, so (x − 6) is a factor.

The labeled point is (3, 3).

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = a(x − 2)(x − 6)

Substitute (3, 3).

3 = a(3 − 2)(3 − 6)

3 = a(1)(−3)

3 = −3a

Divide both sides by −3.

a = 3−3

a = −1

y = −1(x − 2)(x − 6)

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

y = a(x − r)(x − s)

y = −(x − 2)(x − 6)

Multiply the binomials.

(x − 2)(x − 6)

x² − 6x − 2x + 12

x² − 8x + 12

Distribute the a-value.

a = −1

y = −1(x² − 8x + 12)

y = −x² + 8x − 12

Answer: y = −x² + 8x − 12

5
Write an equation in standard form for this parabola.
−2−1123456−9−8−6−5−4−3−2−112vertex(4, −3)(2, −7)
Show Answer

The formula is

y = a(x − h)² + k

Vertex (4, −3).

Inside the parentheses, move left and right, opposite of the inside.

Right 4 is (x − 4)².

Outside the parentheses, move up and down. It is what it is.

Down 3 is −3.

y = a(x − 4)² − 3

Substitute the point (2, −7).

−7 = a(2 − 4)² − 3

−7 = a(−2)² − 3

−7 = 4a − 3

−7 + 3 = 4a

−4 = 4a

a = −44

a = −1

y = −(x − 4)² − 3

Now write that equation in standard form.

Expand the parenthesis.

(x − h)² = (x − h)(x − h)

(x − 4)²

(x − 4)(x − 4)

y = −(x − 4)(x − 4) − 3

Multiply the binomials.

(x − 4)(x − 4)

x² − 4x − 4x + 16

x² − 8x + 16

Distribute the a-value.

a = −1

y = −1(x² − 8x + 16) − 3

y = −x² + 8x − 16 − 3

Combine like terms.

−16 − 3 = −19

y = −x² + 8x − 19

Answer: y = −x² + 8x − 19

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