Unit 5 Mixed Review: Graphing Quadratics

Front

What is a quadratic function?

Back

A quadratic function is a polynomial function of degree 2, typically in the form y = ax² + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants.

Front

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

Back

The 'a' term indicates the direction of the parabola (upward if a > 0, downward if a < 0) and affects the width of the parabola.

Front

How do you find the vertex of a parabola given in standard form?

Back

The vertex can be found using the formula x = -b/(2a) for the x-coordinate, and then substituting this value back into the function to find the y-coordinate.

Front

What is the axis of symmetry in a quadratic function?

Back

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

Front

What does the 'h' term in vertex form indicate?

Back

The 'h' term indicates the horizontal shift of the parabola; it moves the graph left or right, and is the x-coordinate of the vertex.

Front

What is the vertex form of a quadratic function?

Back

The vertex form of a quadratic function is y = a(x - h)² + k, where (h, k) is the vertex of the parabola.

Front

How do you convert from standard form to vertex form?

Back

To convert from standard form (y = ax² + bx + c) to vertex form, complete the square.

Front

What is the significance of the 'k' term in vertex form?

Back

The 'k' term indicates the vertical shift of the parabola; it moves the graph up or down, and is the y-coordinate of the vertex.

Front

How do you determine the y-intercept of a quadratic function?

Back

The y-intercept can be found by evaluating the function at x = 0, which gives the point (0, c) in standard form.

Front

What is the general shape of a quadratic function's graph?

Back

The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola, which can open upwards or downwards depending on the sign of 'a'.