Interpreting Quadratic Graphs

Characteristics of Quadratics

Mr. Wright | Algebra I | Opelousas Sr. High

The direction of a quadratic describes how it opens: up or down ​

​

"A smile or a frown"​

Multiple Choice

What is the direction of the parabola?

• Opens Up

• Opens Down

• Opens Left

• Opens Right

The "turning point"​

• The vertex of ​a quadratic is the point where the quadratic changes direction

Minimum or Maximum​

• The vertex can also be thought as the highest or lowest number.

• The minimum or maximum of a parabola is a number. Specifically, It is the y value of the vertex.

Multiple Select

Identify the vertex and then tell whether it's a minimum or maximum. Select two answer choices.

• (0,0)

• (1,0)

• (0.5,-1)

• Minimum

• Maximum

Multiple Choice

What is the maximum value of the quadratic?

• 3

• 0

• 4

• 1

• 5

Fill in the Blanks

"Cuts the parabola in half"​

• The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that cuts the parabola in half

• The axis of symmetry is always in the form (x = a number)

• The number is the x-value of the vertex

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the Blanks

"Touches the x-axis"​

• The x-intercept of a parabola is the point where the parabola intersects the x-axis

• A parabola can have one, two or zero x-intercepts

​Notice the y value of the x-intercept is always 0.

Solutions, Zeros, and Roots

• Once we have the x-intercept, we can identify the solutions of the quadratics. They are just the x-value of the x-intercept(s).

• Solutions, zeroes, and roots all mean the same thing!

Multiple Select

Identify the solutions of the quadratic shown

*May be more than one answer

• 5

• 1

• 0

• 3

• -4

"Touches the y-axis"​

• The y-intercept of a parabola is the point where the parabola intersects the y-axis

• A parabola will always have one y-intercept.

​Notice how the x value of the y-intercept is always 0.

Multiple Choice

Which point represents the y-intercept of the quadratic?

• (-1,0)

• (-2,0)

• (-1.5,-0.25)

• (0,2)

Multiple Select

The table shown is a quadratic function. Identify the y-intercept.

*May be more than one answer

• (-2,0)

• (-1,-3)

• (0,-4)

• (1,-3)

• (2,0)