SOLVING

QUADRATIC
EQUATIONS
GRAPHICALLY
By: K. Johnson (Ms)
THE QUADRATIC GRAPH
The graph of a quadratic function/equation is a U-shaped curve
called a PARABOLA

Parts of this graph (parabola) can give pertinent information about

the quadratic equation.
Graph of a Quadratic Equation
 Y-
INTERCEPT
The y-intercept is the point on the
graph where the parabola intersects
the y-axis.
At this point the x-value is equal to
zero
Any point on the y- axis the x-value is
equal to zero
 X-
INTERCEPT
The x-intercept is the point on the graph where
the parabola intersects the x-axis

It tells the SOLUTIONS/ROOTS of the equation

At this point the y-value is equal to zero

Any point on the x- axis the y-value is equal to
zero
There can be zero, one or two x-intercepts
Which means there can be zero, one or two
solutions for the quadratic equation.
 VERTEX
A parabola may have a high point or a low
point depending on where it opens.
This high/low point is referred to as the
vertex.
It tells the maximum or minimum value of
the graph
Also referred to as the turning point
It is written as a coordinate
(x, y)
Where the x- value is the axis of symmetry
The y-value is the minimum/maximum value
Based on the diagram the coordinate of the
turning point is (1, -4)
EQUATION OF THE AXIS OF SYMMETRY

A parabola is symmetric which

means it has an axis of symmetry

This is a straight vertical line.

It is drawn through the vertex
It cuts the parabola into two equal
parts.
We always write it as an equation
It is the x-value of the turning point.
x = 1 (equation of axis of symmetry)
THE QUADRATIC EQUATION/FUNCTION

The general form of the quadratic function can be given by

• y = ax2 + bx + c, a ≠ 0
• f(x) = ax2 + bx + c
• f:x ax2 + bx + c
• (x,y): y = ax 2 + bx + c
Solve the following equations
1) x2 + 2x – 3 = 0

2) - x2 - 2x + 3 = 0
1) x2 + 2x – 3 = 0
a=1 b=2 c = -3

ac = 1 x (-3)
= -3
Factors = -1 & 3
x2 – x + 3x – 3 = 0
x(x – 1) +3 (x – 1) = 0
(x – 1) (x + 3) = 0
x–1=0 x+3=0
SOLVING QUADRATIC
EQUATIONS
2) - x 2 - 2x + 3 = 0
a = -1 b=-2 c=3
ac = -1 x 3
= -3
factors = 1 & -3
-x2 + x – 3x + 3 = 0
-x (x - 1) – 3(x - 1) = 0
(x - 1) (-x - 3) = 0
x-1=0 -x – 3 = 0
x=1 -x = 3
=
x = -3
SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS GRAPHICALLY

Draw the graph of the quadratic function:

f:x x2 + 2x – 3

for the domain -5 ≤ x ≤ 3

SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS GRAPHICALLY

Before we can plot a quadratic graph we first need to create a table of

values
This will assist us in determining the corresponding x and y values to be
plot.
The domain tells us the x-values
If we substitute each x-value into the quadratic equation we will get the y-
values
The y-values are called the range.
Draw the graph of the quadratic function:
f:x x 2 + 2x – 3, for the domain -5 ≤ x ≤ 3
x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9
2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3
y 12 5 0 -3 -4 -3 0 5 12
Ordered pairs/Coordinates
(-5,12) (-4,5) (-3, 0) (-2,-3) (-1, -4) (0, -3) (1,0) (2,5) (3, 12)
We now have our x and y values and can therefore plot our graph
Remember when plotting points it is always (x, y)
The x-value always comes first.
 f:x x2 + 2x – 3, for the domain -5 ≤ x ≤ 3

x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9
2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3
y 12 5 0 -3 -4 -3 0 5 12

For x = -5 For x = -4 For x = -3 For x = -2 For x = -1

y = x2 + 2x – 3 y = x2 + 2x – 3 y = x2 + 2x – 3 y = x2 + 2x – 3 y = x2 + 2x – 3
y = (-5)2+ 2(-5) – 3 y = (-4)2+2(-4) – 3 y = (-3)2+2(-3) – 3 y = (-2)2+2(-2) – 3 y = (-1)2+2(-1) – 3
y = 25 – 10 -3 y = 16 – 8 - 3 y=9–6-3 y=4–4-3 y=1–2-3
y = 12 y=5 y=0 y = -3 y = -4
Ok now we need to draw our cartesian plane. (The negative and positive x and y axes)
DO NOT JUST DRAW THE AXES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GRAPH PAPER!!!
We have to check the values we have first.
Looking at our table we need to go to -5 and positive 3 on the x-axis so we have to draw the y axis
closer to the right.

On the y-axis the highest negative is 4 but we also need enough space to go to positive 12 so we
need to draw the x axis closer to the bottom of the graph.
We also need to use a scale that will allow us to use more than half of the graph paper.
 CARTESIAN PLANE AND
SCALE

Scale: 2cm to represent 1 unit on the

x-axis
This suggests that every two cm box
on the x-axis we are counting by 1

Scale: 1cm to represent 1 unit on the

y-axis
This suggests every 1cm box on the y-
axis we are counting by 1
 PLOTTING THE
COORDINATES

The first coordinate is (-5, 12)

The first value is x, while the second

value is y
We therefore move over to -5 on the
x-axis and then up to 12 on the y-
axis
x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3
y 12 5 0 -3 -4 -3 0 5 12
 PLOTTING THE
COORDINATES

x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3
y 12 5 0 -3 -4 -3 0 5 12
 PLOTTING THE
COORDINATES

x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3
y 12 5 0 -3 -4 -3 0 5 12
 PLOTTING THE
COORDINATES

x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3
y 12 5 0 -3 -4 -3 0 5 12
 PLOTTING THE
COORDINATES

x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3
y 12 5 0 -3 -4 -3 0 5 12
 PLOTTING THE
COORDINATES

x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3
y 12 5 0 -3 -4 -3 0 5 12
 PLOTTING THE
COORDINATES

x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3
y 12 5 0 -3 -4 -3 0 5 12
 PLOTTING THE
COORDINATES

x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3
y 12 5 0 -3 -4 -3 0 5 12
 PLOTTING THE
COORDINATES

x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3
y 12 5 0 -3 -4 -3 0 5 12
 PLOTTING THE
COORDINATES
x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3
y 12 5 0 -3 -4 -3 0 5 12
Solution/ Roots: x = -3 and x = 1
The y- intercept: y = -3
The coordinate of the turning point: (-1, -4)
Equation of the axis of symmetry: x = -1
Minimum point: y = -4
 GRAPH OF A QUADRATIC FUNCTION

Draw the graph of the quadratic function:

f:x -x 2 - 2x + 3, for the domain -5 ≤ x ≤ 3
1) Use your graph to state:
i) the solution of the equation -x 2 - 2x + 3 = 0
ii) the y-intercept
iii) The coordinate of the turning point
iv) whether it is a minimum or maximum?
v) what is the minimum or maximum value
2) Draw a vertical broken line to indicate the equation of the axis of symmetry.
i) State the equation of the axis of symmetry
GRAPH OF A QUADRATIC FUNCTION

Draw the graph of the quadratic function:

f:x -x2 - 2x + 3, for the domain -5 ≤ x ≤ 3
x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
-(x2) -25 -16 -9 -4 -1 0 -1 -4 -9
-2x 10 8 6 4 2 0 -2 -4 -6
+3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3
y -12 -5 0 3 4 3 0 -5 -12

We now have our x and y values and can therefore plot our graph
Remember when plotting points it is always (x, y)
The x-value always comes first.
GRAPH OF A QUADRATIC
FUNCTION
Looking at our table we need to go to -5 and positive 3 on the x-axis so we have to draw the y axis
closer to the right.

On the y-axis the highest negative is 12 but we also need enough space to go to positive 4 so we
need to draw the x axis closer to the top of the graph because we have more negative y-values.

Where we draw the x-axis controls the values on the y-axis

Where we draw the y-axis controls the values on the x-axis

We also need to use a scale that will allow us to use more than half of the graph paper.
QUADRATIC
GRAPH
The roots of the equation: x = -3 & x = 1
The y-intercept: y = 3
The turning point: (-1, 4)
Equation of the axis of symmetry: x = -1
Maximum value: y = 4
 DETERMINING WHETHER THE GRAPH WILL GIVE A MAXIMUM
OR MINIMUM VALUE

Before plotting the graph we can know how the parabola will turn.
The sign of ‘a’ from our equation ax2 + bx + c can help to determine whether
there will be a maximum or minimum.
If ‘a’ is positive the parabola will resemble a smile, this would mean therefore a
minimum value
If ‘a’ is negative then the parabola would resemble a frown and this would
mean there would be a maximum.
 THE GRAPH OF A QUADRATIC
FUNCTION
1) (a) Draw the graph of the quadratic function f: x x 2+2x – 8 for the domain -5 ≤ x ≤ 3.
b) From your graph determine:
i) the values of x when y = 0
ii) the y- intercept
iii) the turning point
iv) the equation of the axis of the symmetry

2) Draw the graph of the quadratic function f(x) = - x 2 - 2x + 8 for the domain -5 ≤ x ≤ 3.
(b) same as question (1)
 THE GRAPH OF A
QUADRATIC FUNCTION

Draw the graph of the quadratic function f: x x2+2x – 8

for the domain -5 ≤ x ≤ 3.

x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 25 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9
2x -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8
y 7 0 -5 -8 -9 -8 -5 0 7
THE GRAPH OF A QUADRATIC
FUNCTION

Draw the graph of the quadratic function f(x) = - x2 - 2x + 8

for the domain -5 ≤ x ≤ 3.

x -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x2 -25 -16 -9 -4 -1 0 -1 -4 -9
-2x 10 8 6 4 2 0 -2 -4 -6
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
y -7 0 5 8 9 8 5 0 -7