H Algebra 2/Trig · Unit 2
From y = ax² + bx + c, find the axis, vertex, y-intercept, minimum or maximum, domain, and range. Build a table of five points.
Jump to section:
x = −b2a
axis answer: x = …
Quadratic formula
Split off the ± square root. The first part is the axis.
Highlighted: x = −b2a
Axis formula
x = −b2a
This is the highlighted part of the quadratic formula.
The result is the y-value.
Write the vertex as a point (x, y).
When x = 0, every term with x is 0, so y = c.
The y-intercept is the point (0, c).
y = x² + 2x + 6
Substitute x = 0.
y = (0)² + 2(0) + 6
y = 0 + 0 + 6
y = 6
The y-intercept is (0, 6).
a > 0: the parabola opens up. The vertex is a minimum.
a < 0: the parabola opens down. The vertex is a maximum.
The minimum or maximum value is the y-value of the vertex.
y = x²
a = 1 and a > 0. Opens up. Minimum value: 0.
y = −x²
a = −1 and a < 0. Opens down. Maximum value: 0.
Your answer must be an equation x = …
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −(−8)2(1)
x = 82
Write the answer as an equation.
x = 4
Answer: x = 4
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −(−4)2(1)
x = 42
Write the answer as an equation.
x = 2
Answer: x = 2
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −62(1)
x = −62
Write the answer as an equation.
x = −3
Answer: x = −3
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −(−2)2(1)
x = 22
Write the answer as an equation.
x = 1
Answer: x = 1
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −102(1)
x = −102
Write the answer as an equation.
x = −5
Answer: x = −5
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −82(−1)
x = −8−2
x = 82
Write the answer as an equation.
x = 4
Answer: x = 4
Find the axis, then plug that x back in. Write the vertex as a point.
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −(−4)2(1)
x = 42
x = 2
Plug this x into the equation.
y = x² − 4x + 1
Substitute.
y = (2)² − 4(2) + 1
y = 4 − 8 + 1
y = −3
Vertex: (2, −3)
Answer: (2, −3)
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −(−6)2(1)
x = 62
x = 3
Plug this x into the equation.
y = x² − 6x + 5
Substitute.
y = (3)² − 6(3) + 5
y = 9 − 18 + 5
y = −4
Vertex: (3, −4)
Answer: (3, −4)
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −22(1)
x = −22
x = −1
Plug this x into the equation.
y = x² + 2x − 8
Substitute.
y = (−1)² + 2(−1) − 8
y = 1 − 2 − 8
y = −9
Vertex: (−1, −9)
Answer: (−1, −9)
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −(−10)2(1)
x = 102
x = 5
Plug this x into the equation.
y = x² − 10x + 16
Substitute.
y = (5)² − 10(5) + 16
y = 25 − 50 + 16
y = −9
Vertex: (5, −9)
Answer: (5, −9)
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −82(1)
x = −82
x = −4
Plug this x into the equation.
y = x² + 8x + 9
Substitute.
y = (−4)² + 8(−4) + 9
y = 16 − 32 + 9
y = −7
Vertex: (−4, −7)
Answer: (−4, −7)
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −62(−1)
x = −6−2
x = 62
x = 3
Plug this x into the equation.
y = −x² + 6x + 2
Substitute.
y = −(3)² + 6(3) + 2
y = −9 + 18 + 2
y = 11
Vertex: (3, 11)
Answer: (3, 11)
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −42(−1)
x = −4−2
x = 42
x = 2
Plug this x into the equation.
y = −x² + 4x + 3
Substitute.
y = −(2)² + 4(2) + 3
y = −4 + 8 + 3
y = 7
Vertex: (2, 7)
Answer: (2, 7)
The y-intercept is the point where x = 0.
y = x² − 4x + 8
Substitute x = 0.
y = (0)² − 4(0) + 8
y = 0 + 0 + 8
y = 8
The y-intercept is (0, 8).
Answer: (0, 8)
y = x² + 3x − 4
Substitute x = 0.
y = (0)² + 3(0) − 4
y = 0 + 0 − 4
y = −4
The y-intercept is (0, −4).
Answer: (0, −4)
y = x² − 5x + 2
Substitute x = 0.
y = (0)² − 5(0) + 2
y = 0 + 0 + 2
y = 2
The y-intercept is (0, 2).
Answer: (0, 2)
y = −x² + 4x + 9
Substitute x = 0.
y = −(0)² + 4(0) + 9
y = 0 + 0 + 9
y = 9
The y-intercept is (0, 9).
Answer: (0, 9)
y = x² − 3
Substitute x = 0.
y = (0)² − 3
y = 0 − 3
y = −3
The y-intercept is (0, −3).
Answer: (0, −3)
y = 2x² − x + 7
Substitute x = 0.
y = 2(0)² − (0) + 7
y = 0 + 0 + 7
y = 7
The y-intercept is (0, 7).
Answer: (0, 7)
y = 4x² + 3x
Substitute x = 0.
y = 4(0)² + 3(0)
y = 0 + 0
y = 0
The y-intercept is (0, 0).
Answer: (0, 0)
You are given the vertex. Use the sign of a. The value is the y-value only.
y = x² − 2x + 6
Vertex: (1, 5)
a = 1, so a > 0.
The parabola opens up.
The vertex is a minimum.
The minimum value is the y-value of the vertex.
Minimum: 5
Answer: Minimum: 5
y = x² + 4x + 1
Vertex: (−2, −3)
a = 1, so a > 0.
The parabola opens up.
The vertex is a minimum.
The minimum value is the y-value of the vertex.
Minimum: −3
Answer: Minimum: −3
y = −x² + 2x + 4
Vertex: (1, 5)
a = −1, so a < 0.
The parabola opens down.
The vertex is a maximum.
The maximum value is the y-value of the vertex.
Maximum: 5
Answer: Maximum: 5
y = x² − 6x + 2
Vertex: (3, −7)
a = 1, so a > 0.
The parabola opens up.
The vertex is a minimum.
The minimum value is the y-value of the vertex.
Minimum: −7
Answer: Minimum: −7
y = −x² − 6x − 4
Vertex: (−3, 5)
a = −1, so a < 0.
The parabola opens down.
The vertex is a maximum.
The maximum value is the y-value of the vertex.
Maximum: 5
Answer: Maximum: 5
y = 2x² + 4x + 5
Vertex: (−1, 3)
a = 2, so a > 0.
The parabola opens up.
The vertex is a minimum.
The minimum value is the y-value of the vertex.
Minimum: 3
Answer: Minimum: 3
The vertex is labeled on the graph. Write the domain and range in interval notation.
Domain: the graph goes left and right forever.
(−∞, ∞)
The vertex on the graph is (1, 3).
The parabola opens down.
Range: (−∞, 3]
Answer: Domain: (−∞, ∞)Range: (−∞, 3]
Domain: the graph goes left and right forever.
(−∞, ∞)
The vertex on the graph is (2, 0).
The parabola opens up.
Range: [0, ∞)
Answer: Domain: (−∞, ∞)Range: [0, ∞)
Domain: the graph goes left and right forever.
(−∞, ∞)
The vertex on the graph is (3, 4).
The parabola opens down.
Range: (−∞, 4]
Answer: Domain: (−∞, ∞)Range: (−∞, 4]
Domain: the graph goes left and right forever.
(−∞, ∞)
The vertex on the graph is (−1, −3).
The parabola opens up.
Range: [−3, ∞)
Answer: Domain: (−∞, ∞)Range: [−3, ∞)
Domain: the graph goes left and right forever.
(−∞, ∞)
The vertex on the graph is (−1, 3).
The parabola opens down.
Range: (−∞, 3]
Answer: Domain: (−∞, ∞)Range: (−∞, 3]
Domain: the graph goes left and right forever.
(−∞, ∞)
The vertex on the graph is (3, 2).
The parabola opens up.
Range: [2, ∞)
Answer: Domain: (−∞, ∞)Range: [2, ∞)
The vertex and the y-intercept are filled in. Choose an x-value and substitute it into the equation to find the partner y. Your three points may be different.
| x | y | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | −4 | vertex |
| 0 | −3 | y-intercept |
Choose an x-value. Substitute it into the equation. That result is the partner y.
The vertex and the y-intercept are already in the table.
Choose x = −1.
y = x² − 2x − 3
Substitute.
y = (−1)² − 2(−1) − 3
y = 1 + 2 − 3
y = 0
Point: (−1, 0)
Choose x = 2.
y = x² − 2x − 3
Substitute.
y = (2)² − 2(2) − 3
y = 4 − 4 − 3
y = −3
Point: (2, −3)
Choose x = 3.
y = x² − 2x − 3
Substitute.
y = (3)² − 2(3) − 3
y = 9 − 6 − 3
y = 0
Point: (3, 0)
One possible table:
| x | y | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | −4 | vertex |
| 0 | −3 | y-intercept |
| −1 | 0 | |
| 2 | −3 | |
| 3 | 0 |
Your three points may be different if you chose different x-values.
Answer: One possible set: (1, −4), (0, −3), (−1, 0), (2, −3), (3, 0).Your points may be different if you chose different x-values.
| x | y | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | −1 | vertex |
| 0 | 8 | y-intercept |
Choose an x-value. Substitute it into the equation. That result is the partner y.
The vertex and the y-intercept are already in the table.
Choose x = 2.
y = x² − 6x + 8
Substitute.
y = (2)² − 6(2) + 8
y = 4 − 12 + 8
y = 0
Point: (2, 0)
Choose x = 4.
y = x² − 6x + 8
Substitute.
y = (4)² − 6(4) + 8
y = 16 − 24 + 8
y = 0
Point: (4, 0)
Choose x = 6.
y = x² − 6x + 8
Substitute.
y = (6)² − 6(6) + 8
y = 36 − 36 + 8
y = 8
Point: (6, 8)
One possible table:
| x | y | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | −1 | vertex |
| 0 | 8 | y-intercept |
| 2 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | |
| 6 | 8 |
Your three points may be different if you chose different x-values.
Answer: One possible set: (3, −1), (0, 8), (2, 0), (4, 0), (6, 8).Your points may be different if you chose different x-values.
| x | y | |
|---|---|---|
| −2 | −1 | vertex |
| 0 | 3 | y-intercept |
Choose an x-value. Substitute it into the equation. That result is the partner y.
The vertex and the y-intercept are already in the table.
Choose x = −4.
y = x² + 4x + 3
Substitute.
y = (−4)² + 4(−4) + 3
y = 16 − 16 + 3
y = 3
Point: (−4, 3)
Choose x = −3.
y = x² + 4x + 3
Substitute.
y = (−3)² + 4(−3) + 3
y = 9 − 12 + 3
y = 0
Point: (−3, 0)
Choose x = −1.
y = x² + 4x + 3
Substitute.
y = (−1)² + 4(−1) + 3
y = 1 − 4 + 3
y = 0
Point: (−1, 0)
One possible table:
| x | y | |
|---|---|---|
| −2 | −1 | vertex |
| 0 | 3 | y-intercept |
| −4 | 3 | |
| −3 | 0 | |
| −1 | 0 |
Your three points may be different if you chose different x-values.
Answer: One possible set: (−2, −1), (0, 3), (−4, 3), (−3, 0), (−1, 0).Your points may be different if you chose different x-values.
| x | y | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 5 | vertex |
| 0 | 1 | y-intercept |
Choose an x-value. Substitute it into the equation. That result is the partner y.
The vertex and the y-intercept are already in the table.
Choose x = 1.
y = −x² + 4x + 1
Substitute.
y = −(1)² + 4(1) + 1
y = −1 + 4 + 1
y = 4
Point: (1, 4)
Choose x = 3.
y = −x² + 4x + 1
Substitute.
y = −(3)² + 4(3) + 1
y = −9 + 12 + 1
y = 4
Point: (3, 4)
Choose x = 4.
y = −x² + 4x + 1
Substitute.
y = −(4)² + 4(4) + 1
y = −16 + 16 + 1
y = 1
Point: (4, 1)
One possible table:
| x | y | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 5 | vertex |
| 0 | 1 | y-intercept |
| 1 | 4 | |
| 3 | 4 | |
| 4 | 1 |
Your three points may be different if you chose different x-values.
Answer: One possible set: (2, 5), (0, 1), (1, 4), (3, 4), (4, 1).Your points may be different if you chose different x-values.
| x | y | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | −5 | vertex |
| 0 | 3 | y-intercept |
Choose an x-value. Substitute it into the equation. That result is the partner y.
The vertex and the y-intercept are already in the table.
Choose x = 1.
y = 2x² − 8x + 3
Substitute.
y = 2(1)² − 8(1) + 3
y = 2 − 8 + 3
y = −3
Point: (1, −3)
Choose x = 3.
y = 2x² − 8x + 3
Substitute.
y = 2(3)² − 8(3) + 3
y = 18 − 24 + 3
y = −3
Point: (3, −3)
Choose x = 4.
y = 2x² − 8x + 3
Substitute.
y = 2(4)² − 8(4) + 3
y = 32 − 32 + 3
y = 3
Point: (4, 3)
One possible table:
| x | y | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | −5 | vertex |
| 0 | 3 | y-intercept |
| 1 | −3 | |
| 3 | −3 | |
| 4 | 3 |
Your three points may be different if you chose different x-values.
Answer: One possible set: (2, −5), (0, 3), (1, −3), (3, −3), (4, 3).Your points may be different if you chose different x-values.
| x | y | |
|---|---|---|
| −1 | 4 | vertex |
| 0 | 3 | y-intercept |
Choose an x-value. Substitute it into the equation. That result is the partner y.
The vertex and the y-intercept are already in the table.
Choose x = −3.
y = −x² − 2x + 3
Substitute.
y = −(−3)² − 2(−3) + 3
y = −9 + 6 + 3
y = 0
Point: (−3, 0)
Choose x = −2.
y = −x² − 2x + 3
Substitute.
y = −(−2)² − 2(−2) + 3
y = −4 + 4 + 3
y = 3
Point: (−2, 3)
Choose x = 1.
y = −x² − 2x + 3
Substitute.
y = −(1)² − 2(1) + 3
y = −1 − 2 + 3
y = 0
Point: (1, 0)
One possible table:
| x | y | |
|---|---|---|
| −1 | 4 | vertex |
| 0 | 3 | y-intercept |
| −3 | 0 | |
| −2 | 3 | |
| 1 | 0 |
Your three points may be different if you chose different x-values.
Answer: One possible set: (−1, 4), (0, 3), (−3, 0), (−2, 3), (1, 0).Your points may be different if you chose different x-values.
Sketch the parabola. List the axis, vertex, minimum or maximum, y-intercept, domain, and range.
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −84
Write the axis as an equation.
x = −2
Vertex: plug this x into the equation.
y = 2x² + 8x − 3
Substitute.
y = 2(−2)² + 8(−2) − 3
y = −11
(−2, −11)
a > 0, so the parabola opens up. The vertex is a minimum.
The minimum value is the y-value of the vertex.
Minimum: −11
Y-intercept: x = 0.
(0, −3)
Domain: all real x.
(−∞, ∞)
Range.
[−11, ∞)
Sketch.
Answer: a. Axis of Symmetry: x = −2b. Vertex: (−2, −11)c. Minimum: −11d. Y-intercept: (0, −3)e. Domain: (−∞, ∞)f. Range: [−11, ∞)
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = 124
Write the axis as an equation.
x = 3
Vertex: plug this x into the equation.
y = 2x² − 12x + 7
Substitute.
y = 2(3)² − 12(3) + 7
y = −11
(3, −11)
a > 0, so the parabola opens up. The vertex is a minimum.
The minimum value is the y-value of the vertex.
Minimum: −11
Y-intercept: x = 0.
(0, 7)
Domain: all real x.
(−∞, ∞)
Range.
[−11, ∞)
Sketch.
Answer: a. Axis of Symmetry: x = 3b. Vertex: (3, −11)c. Minimum: −11d. Y-intercept: (0, 7)e. Domain: (−∞, ∞)f. Range: [−11, ∞)
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = 4−4
Write the axis as an equation.
x = −1
Vertex: plug this x into the equation.
y = −2x² − 4x + 3
Substitute.
y = −2(−1)² − 4(−1) + 3
y = 5
(−1, 5)
a < 0, so the parabola opens down. The vertex is a maximum.
The maximum value is the y-value of the vertex.
Maximum: 5
Y-intercept: x = 0.
(0, 3)
Domain: all real x.
(−∞, ∞)
Range.
(−∞, 5]
Sketch.
Answer: a. Axis of Symmetry: x = −1b. Vertex: (−1, 5)c. Maximum: 5d. Y-intercept: (0, 3)e. Domain: (−∞, ∞)f. Range: (−∞, 5]
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −66
Write the axis as an equation.
x = −1
Vertex: plug this x into the equation.
y = 3x² + 6x − 4
Substitute.
y = 3(−1)² + 6(−1) − 4
y = −7
(−1, −7)
a > 0, so the parabola opens up. The vertex is a minimum.
The minimum value is the y-value of the vertex.
Minimum: −7
Y-intercept: x = 0.
(0, −4)
Domain: all real x.
(−∞, ∞)
Range.
[−7, ∞)
Sketch.
Answer: a. Axis of Symmetry: x = −1b. Vertex: (−1, −7)c. Minimum: −7d. Y-intercept: (0, −4)e. Domain: (−∞, ∞)f. Range: [−7, ∞)
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −12−6
Write the axis as an equation.
x = 2
Vertex: plug this x into the equation.
y = −3x² + 12x − 5
Substitute.
y = −3(2)² + 12(2) − 5
y = 7
(2, 7)
a < 0, so the parabola opens down. The vertex is a maximum.
The maximum value is the y-value of the vertex.
Maximum: 7
Y-intercept: x = 0.
(0, −5)
Domain: all real x.
(−∞, ∞)
Range.
(−∞, 7]
Sketch.
Answer: a. Axis of Symmetry: x = 2b. Vertex: (2, 7)c. Maximum: 7d. Y-intercept: (0, −5)e. Domain: (−∞, ∞)f. Range: (−∞, 7]
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −44
Write the axis as an equation.
x = −1
Vertex: plug this x into the equation.
y = 2x² + 4x + 1
Substitute.
y = 2(−1)² + 4(−1) + 1
y = −1
(−1, −1)
a > 0, so the parabola opens up. The vertex is a minimum.
The minimum value is the y-value of the vertex.
Minimum: −1
Y-intercept: x = 0.
(0, 1)
Domain: all real x.
(−∞, ∞)
Range.
[−1, ∞)
Sketch.
Answer: a. Axis of Symmetry: x = −1b. Vertex: (−1, −1)c. Minimum: −1d. Y-intercept: (0, 1)e. Domain: (−∞, ∞)f. Range: [−1, ∞)
The axis is a fraction. Find the vertex and write the point.
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −32(1)
x = −32
Plug this x into the equation.
y = x² + 3x + 1
Substitute.
y = (−32)² + 3(−32) + 1
(−32)² = 94
3 · (−32) = −92
y = 94 − 92 + 1
y = 94 − 184 + 44
Add the numerators.
9 − 18 + 4 = −5
y = −54
Vertex: (−32, −54)
Answer: (−32, −54)
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −(−1)2(1)
x = 12
Plug this x into the equation.
y = x² − x + 4
Substitute.
y = (12)² − (12) + 4
(12)² = 14
y = 14 − 12 + 4
y = 14 − 24 + 164
Add the numerators.
1 − 2 + 16 = 15
y = 154
Vertex: (12, 154)
Answer: (12, 154)
The formula is
x = −b2a
Substitute.
x = −62(−2)
x = −6−4
x = 64
x = 32
Plug this x into the equation.
y = −2x² + 6x + 1
Substitute.
y = −2(32)² + 6(32) + 1
(32)² = 94
−2 · 94 = −92
6 · (32) = 9
y = −92 + 9 + 1
y = −92 + 182 + 22
Add the numerators.
−9 + 18 + 2 = 11
y = 112
Vertex: (32, 112)
Answer: (32, 112)
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