Characteristics of Quadratic Functions

Front

What is the axis of symmetry?

Back

A line whose equation is the x-coordinate of a parabola's vertex; a central line that divides a parabola into mirror images; a line that intersects a parabola at the vertex.

Front

How many solutions does a quadratic function graph have if it does not intersect the x-axis?

Back

No solutions.

Front

What does it mean if a quadratic function has a minimum value?

Back

The vertex of the parabola is the lowest point on the graph.

Front

What is the range of a quadratic function that opens upwards and has a vertex at (0, -2)?

Back

All real numbers greater than or equal to -2.

Front

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

Back

Substitute x = 0 into the function.

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 the quadratic function affect?

Back

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

Front

What is the vertex of a parabola?

Back

The highest or lowest point of the graph, depending on the direction it opens.

Front

What is the significance of the discriminant in a quadratic equation?

Back

It determines the number of real solutions: if positive, two solutions; if zero, one solution; if negative, no solutions.

Front

What is the formula to find the vertex of a quadratic function in standard form?

Back

x = -b/(2a) for the x-coordinate, then substitute back to find the y-coordinate.