Math Class Notes: Quadratic Equations & Functions
Date: October 26, 2025
Instructor: Mr. N. Algebrist
Topic: Solving Quadratic Equations and Analyzing Parabolas
1. What is a Quadratic Equation?
A quadratic equation is a second-degree polynomial equation of the form:
ax2+bx+c=0
ax2+bx+c=0
Where:
aa, bb, and cc are constants.
xx is the variable (the unknown we're solving for).
The highest power of xx is 2 (hence the name "quadratic").
2. The Standard Form of a Quadratic Function
A quadratic function is an equation in the form:
f(x)=ax2+bx+c
f(x)=ax2+bx+c
Where:
aa controls the "width" and direction of the parabola.
bb affects the position of the vertex along the x-axis.
cc is the y-intercept (where the graph crosses the y-axis).
3. How to Solve a Quadratic Equation
There are three main methods for solving a quadratic equation:
Factoring
Completing the Square
Quadratic Formula
Method 1: Factoring
Write the equation in standard form: ax2+bx+c=0ax2+bx+c=0.
Factor the quadratic expression (find two numbers that multiply to acac and add
to bb).
Set each factor equal to zero and solve for xx.
Example:
Solve: x2−5x+6=0x2−5x+6=0
Factor: (x−2)(x−3)=0(x−2)(x−3)=0
Set each factor equal to zero:
x−2=0⇒x=2x−2=0⇒x=2
x−3=0⇒x=3x−3=0⇒x=3
So, x=2x=2 or x=3x=3.
Method 2: Completing the Square
Start with the quadratic equation in the form: ax2+bx=−cax2+bx=−c.
Divide by aa to make the coefficient of x2x2 equal to 1.
Add (b2a)2(2ab)2 to both sides of the equation to make a perfect square
trinomial.
Solve for xx.
Example:
Solve: x2+6x−7=0x2+6x−7=0
Move constant term: x2+6x=7x2+6x=7
Complete the square: Add (62)2=9(26)2=9 to both sides:
x2+6x+9=7+9x2+6x+9=7+9
(x+3)2=16(x+3)2=16
Take square root: x+3=±4x+3=±4
Solve for xx:
x=4−3=1x=4−3=1 or x=−4−3=−7x=−4−3=−7
So, x=1x=1 or x=−7x=−7.
Method 3: Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is a universal method for solving any quadratic equation:
x=−b±b2−4ac2a
x=2a−b±b2−4ac
Where:
aa, bb, and cc are the coefficients from the equation ax2+bx+c=0ax2+bx+c=0.
The ±± symbol means there are two possible solutions (one with a plus, and one
with a minus).
Example:
Solve: 2x2+4x−6=02x2+4x−6=0
Identify coefficients: a=2a=2, b=4b=4, c=−6c=−6.
Plug into the quadratic formula:
x=−4±42−4(2)(−6)2(2)=−4±16+484=−4±644
x=2(2)−4±42−4(2)(−6)
=4−4±16+48
=4−4±64
Solve for xx:
x=−4±84
x=4−4±8
Two solutions:
x1=−4+84=1orx2=−4−84=−3
x1=4−4+8=1orx2=4−4−8=−3
So, x=1x=1 or x=−3x=−3.
4. The Discriminant
The discriminant is the part of the quadratic formula under the square root:
Δ=b2−4ac
Δ=b2−4ac
If Δ>0Δ>0, the quadratic equation has two real solutions.
If Δ=0Δ=0, the quadratic equation has one real solution (the vertex).
If Δ<0Δ<0, the quadratic equation has no real solutions (the solutions are
complex numbers).
5. Graphing a Quadratic Function
The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola. It can either open upward (if
a>0a>0) or downward (if a<0a<0).
Key Features:
Vertex: The highest or lowest point of the parabola. The x-coordinate of the
vertex is given by:
xvertex=−b2a
xvertex=2a−b
Axis of Symmetry: A vertical line that passes through the vertex. Its equation
is:
x=−b2a
x=2a−b
Y-intercept: The point where the graph crosses the y-axis. This occurs when
x=0x=0. Plug x=0x=0 into the equation f(x)=ax2+bx+cf(x)=ax2+bx+c to find the y-
intercept.
Example:
Graph: f(x)=2x2−4x+1f(x)=2x2−4x+1
a=2a=2, b=−4b=−4, c=1c=1
Vertex:
xvertex=−(−4)2(2)=44=1
xvertex=2(2)−(−4)=44=1
Find f(1)f(1):
f(1)=2(1)2−4(1)+1=−1
f(1)=2(1)2−4(1)+1=−1
So, the vertex is (1,−1)(1,−1).
Axis of symmetry: x=1x=1
6. Practice Problems:
Solve: x2−7x+10=0x2−7x+10=0
Solve using the quadratic formula: 3x2+2x−5=03x2+2x−5=0
Find the vertex and axis of symmetry for:
f(x)=−x2+6x−8f(x)=−x2+6x−8
Solve by completing the square: x2+4x−5=0x2+4x−5=0
7. Key Terms:
Parabola: A U-shaped curve that represents a quadratic function.
Vertex: The point of maximum or minimum on the graph of a quadratic function.
Axis of Symmetry: The vertical line that divides the parabola into two
symmetrical halves.
Discriminant: The part of the quadratic formula that determines the nature of
the roots.
Homework:
Complete practice problems 1-6 from Section 3.2.
Watch the video on "Real-World Applications of Quadratics" for extra credit.
