MBF3C Date: _________________________
Graphing Quadratic Equations The STEP Method
Consider the graph of the basic quadratic relation y = x 2
x y = x2
-3 9
-2 4
-1 1
0 0
1 1
2 4
3 9
What is the Direction of What is the STEP Pattern? Over 1 1 up
vertex? Opening? (how do you move from point to
point, starting from the vertex? Over 1 3 up
(0, 0) Up it doesnt matter if you go left or
right!) Over 1 5 up
Next consider the quadratic relation y = 2( x 3)2 + 2
x y = 2( x 3)2 + 2
-1 34
0 20
1 10
2 4
3 2
4 4
5 10
What is the Direction of What is the STEP Pattern? Over 1 1 x 2 = 2 up
vertex? Opening?
Over 1 3 x 2 = 6 up
(3, 2) UP
Over 1 5 x 2 = 10 up
Adapted from OAME Support Resources for MBF3C Quadratics I
MBF3C Date: _________________________
How to Graph Using the Step Method
vertex
1. Identify and plot the __________________ (h, k)
pattern
2. Determine the step ___________________ (1a, 3a, 5a, 7a, etc.)
Plot
3. _____________ the step points ( over 1 up/down 1a,
over 1 up/down 3a,
over 1 up/down 5a)
axis of symmetry
4. Reflect each point across the ________________________________________
smooth
5. Draw a _________________ curve between points
EXAMPLE
1. Graph each quadratic relation without using a table of values.
1
Equation: y = 3( x + 1)2 + 6 y = ( x 3)2 2
2
What is the
(-1, 6) (3, -2)
vertex?
Direction of
DOWN UP
Opening?
1 x -3 = -3 1 x = 0.5
What is the
3 x -3 = -9 3 x = 1.5
Step Pattern?
5 x -3 =-15 5 x = 2.5
Graph the
equation.
2. Complete the table
Equation Vertex Step Pattern Direction of Opening
y = ( x 2)2 + 1 (2, 1) 1, 3, 5 Up
y = 4( x + 4)2 + 64 (-4, 64) -4, -12, -20 Down
y = (x 20)2 10 (20, -10) -1, -3, -5 Down
Adapted from OAME Support Resources for MBF3C Quadratics I