ALGEBRA II

Quadratic Equation

1. Quadratic equation is an equation with one

unknown.

2. Quadratic equation takes the form ax 2 + bx + c = 0 ,

where
• a, b, and c are constants
• x as the unknown variable.

3. example:
a. x + y = 5 is not quadratic equation
2

b. x(x + 3) = 15 is not a quadratic equation

2

c. x(x + 4) = 2 is a quadratic equation

d. 2 x + 6 x = 0 is a quadratic equation
2

4. The roots of a quadratic equation are in the value

of x that satisfies the equation.

5. Roots of the quadratic equation are the value of x

where the graph cuts the x axis.

6. Quadratic equation may be solved through

 a. factorization
b. completing the square
c. using the formula

7. Factorization
a. Is a “trial and error” proven to obtain the best
coefficient of x fitting the equation
b. Example:
• (x − 5)(x + 3) = 0
• x + 4x − 5 = 0
2

• 0 − 16 x = 0 2

8. Completing the square

a. when the coefficient of x2 = 1 ;
Formula:
• x + bx = c
2

• x + bx + ⎛⎜ b2 ⎞⎟ = c + ⎛⎜ b2 ⎞⎟
2 2
2

⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠

•
2 2
⎛ b⎞ ⎛b⎞
⎜x + ⎟ = c +⎜ ⎟
⎝ 2⎠ ⎝2⎠

b. when the coefficient of x2 ≠ 1 ;

Formula:
• ax − bx = c
2

• x − ⎛⎜ ba ⎞⎟ = ⎛⎜ ac ⎞⎟
2 2
2

⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠

•
2 2
b ⎛ b ⎞ c ⎛ b ⎞
x − x + ⎜− ⎟ = + ⎜− ⎟
2

a ⎝ 2a ⎠ a ⎝ 2a ⎠

•
2 2
⎛ b ⎞ c ⎛ b ⎞
⎜ x − ⎟ = + ⎜− ⎟
⎝ 2a ⎠ a ⎝ 2a ⎠
9. Using the Quadratic formula

− b ± b 2 − 4ac
x=
2a

Discriminant of a quadratic equation

• The types of roots depends on the value of
b 2 − 4ac
• is called the discrimant of a quadratic
b 2 − 4ac
equation.

Discriminant Types of roots

value,
b 2 − 4ac
>0 Two different roots
=0 Two equal roots
<0 No roots

Summary for quadratic equation

1. General form : ax 2 + bx + c = 0 ; a≠0

2. Roots of quadratic equations

 a. Solving quadratic equations
i. Factorization
ii. Completing the square
iii. Quadratic formula
b. Conditions for the types of roots
(determinant)

Quadratic Function and Graphs

1. The quadratic function is also called a second

degree polynomial function.

2. The quadratic function has the form f ( x) = ax 2 + bx + c

when a ≠ 0

Shapes of the graph of quadratic function

1. The graph of a quadratic function f ( x) = ax + bx + c is

2

U- shape and is called a parabola.

• For a>0, the graph is a parabola with the
minimum point
 y = f(x)

a > 0

• For a < 0, the graph is parabola with a

maximum point.
y = f(x)

a < 0

x
Relation between the position of the graph of a
quadratic function f ( x) and the type of roots
for f ( x) = 0 .

1. The position of the graph of a quadratic

function f ( x) = ax + bx + c relative to the axis
2

depends on the type of roots of the

equation f ( x) = 0 . These roots are the values of x
where the graph crosses or meets the x-axis.

Maximum and minimum value of a quadratic

function

1. The maximum or the minimum point of the

graph of a quadratic function f ( x) = ax + bx + c is
2

called the vertex of the parabola.

2. The minimum or maximum value of the

quadratic function can be determined by
expressing the quadratic function in the form of
f ( x) = a( x + p ) , where a, p, and q are constant by the
2

method of completing the square.

 3. for example:
f (x) = x 2 + 8 x + 10

2 2
⎛8⎞ ⎛8⎞
= x2 + 8x + ⎜ ⎟ − ⎜ ⎟ +10
⎝ 2⎠ ⎝ 2⎠
= x 2 + 8 x + 4 2 − 4 2 + 10
= (x − 4) − 6
2

a. When a > 0; the quadratic function

f ( x) = a( x + p ) + q has a minimum value of q
2

when x = − p . Hence, the minimum point

is (− p, q ) .
b. When a < 0; the quadratic function
f ( x) = a( x + p ) + q has a maximum value of q
2

when x = − p . Hence, the maximum point

is (− p, q ) .

Sketching graph of quadratic functions

1. The graph of a quadratic function f ( x) = ax + bx + c

2

can be sketched by the following steps;

a. Determine whether the shape of the graph is
open upward or opens downward by
identifying the positive or negative sign of a.
b. Find the value of the discriminant b − 4ac to
2

determine the position of the graph relative

to x axis.
 c. Express the quadratic function in the form of
f ( x) = a( x + p ) + q by completing the square root
2

and hence, determine the minimum or

maximum point of the graph, that is (− p, q ) .
d. Solve the equation f ( x) = 0 to find the point(s)
where the graph touches the x axis (if any).
e. Find the value of f (0) to determine the point
where the graph cuts the y axis.
f. Plot the points obtained in step (c) to (e) in a
Cartesian plane.

Example:
Sketch the graph of f ( x) = x 2 + 4 x + 7

Step1: look at a value;

• a = 1 > 0 , the graph is parabola which opens upward
with a minimum point.

Step 2: Use discriminant

• b − 4ac = (4) − 4(1)(7) = −12 < 0
2 2

Therefore, graph does not touch the x axis.

Step 3: determine the maximum or minimum point

• f ( x) = x + 4 x + 7
2

2 2
⎛4⎞ ⎛4⎞
= x 2 + 4x + ⎜ ⎟ − ⎜ ⎟ + 7
⎝2⎠ ⎝2⎠
= x 2 + 4x + 2 2 − 2 2 + 7
= (x + 2) + 3
2
Therefore, the minimum point is (− 2,3)

Step 4: solve the equation f ( x) = 0

• since b − 4ac < 0 , f ( x) = 0 is omitted
2

Step 5: determine the point where the graph cut the y

axis
• f (0) = 0 + 4(0) + 7 = 7
2

Step 6: sketch the graph of f ( x) = x 2 + 4 x + 7

f ( x)

f ( x) = x 2 + 4x + 7

• .
(− 2,3)

0
Summary for quadratic function

1. general form; f ( x) = ax + bx + c
2

2. shapes of the graphs of quadratic function

3. Relation between the position of graph of a
quadratic function and the type of roots for
f ( x) = 0
4. sketching graph
a. maximum and minimum values for
quadratic function
i. if a > 0, then q is the minimum value
of f ( x) when y = − p
ii. if a < 0, then q is the maximum value
of f ( x) when x = − p