Intro to Quadratic Functions

Front

What are the coordinates of the y-intercept of a quadratic function?

Back

(0, c) where c is the constant term in the quadratic equation.

Front

What is the vertex of a quadratic function?

Back

The vertex is the highest or lowest point on the graph of the quadratic function, depending on its orientation.

Front

How do you determine if the vertex is a maximum or minimum?

Back

If the parabola opens upwards, the vertex is a minimum. If it opens downwards, the vertex is a maximum.

Front

What is the standard form of a quadratic function?

Back

f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants.

Front

What does the 'a' value in a quadratic function indicate?

Back

The 'a' value determines the direction of the parabola: if a > 0, it opens upwards; if a < 0, it opens downwards.

Front

What are the zeros of a quadratic function?

Back

The zeros are the x-values where the graph intersects the x-axis, also known as the roots of the equation.

Front

How can you find the zeros of a quadratic function?

Back

You can find the zeros by factoring, using the quadratic formula, or by graphing.

Front

What is the quadratic formula?

Back

x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / (2a) for the equation ax² + bx + c = 0.

Front

What does the discriminant (b² - 4ac) tell you about a quadratic function?

Back

The discriminant indicates the number of real solutions: if > 0, two solutions; = 0, one solution; < 0, no real solutions.

Front

What is the axis of symmetry in a quadratic function?

Back

The axis of symmetry is the vertical line that divides the parabola into two mirror-image halves, given by x = -b/(2a).