The graph of a quadratic function is a U-shaped curve called a parabola. One important feature of the graph is that it has an extreme point, called the vertex. If the parabola opens up, the vertex represents the lowest point on the graph, or the minimum value of the quadratic function. If the parabola opens down, the vertex represents the highest point on the graph, or the maximum value. In either case, the vertex is a turning point on the graph. The graph is also symmetric with a vertical line drawn through the vertex, called the axis of symmetry.

The [latex]y[/latex]-intercept is the point at which the parabola crosses the [latex]y[/latex]-axis. The [latex]x[/latex]-intercepts are the points at which the parabola crosses the [latex]x[/latex]-axis. If they exist, the [latex]x[/latex]-intercepts represent the zeros, or roots, of the quadratic function, the values of [latex]x[/latex] at which [latex]y=0[/latex].

Here is a video showing how to find the components of the graph of a parabola using a TI-84 graphing calculator.

Equations of Quadratic Functions

The general form of a quadratic function presents the function in the form

[latex]f\left(x\right)=a{x}^{2}+bx+c[/latex]

where [latex]a[/latex], [latex]b[/latex], and [latex]c[/latex] are real numbers and [latex]a\ne 0[/latex]. If [latex]a>0[/latex], the parabola opens upward. If [latex]a<0[/latex], the parabola opens downward. We can use the general form of a parabola to find the equation for the axis of symmetry. The axis of symmetry is defined by [latex]x=-\dfrac{b}{2a}[/latex]. If we use the quadratic formula, [latex]x=\dfrac{-b\pm \sqrt{{b}^{2}-4ac}}{2a}[/latex], to solve [latex]a{x}^{2}+bx+c=0[/latex] for the [latex]x[/latex]-intercepts, or zeros, we find the value of [latex]x[/latex] halfway between them is always [latex]x=-\dfrac{b}{2a}[/latex], the equation for the axis of symmetry. The figure below shows the graph of the quadratic function written in general form as [latex]y={x}^{2}+4x+3[/latex]. In this form, [latex]a=1,\text{ }b=4[/latex], and [latex]c=3[/latex]. Because [latex]a>0[/latex], the parabola opens upward. The axis of symmetry is [latex]x=-\dfrac{4}{2\left(1\right)}=-2[/latex]. This also makes sense because we can see from the graph that the vertical line [latex]x=-2[/latex] divides the graph in half. The vertex always occurs along the axis of symmetry. For a parabola that opens upward, the vertex occurs at the lowest point on the graph, in this instance, [latex]\left(-2,-1\right)[/latex]. The [latex]x[/latex]-intercepts, those points where the parabola crosses the [latex]x[/latex]-axis, occur at [latex]\left(-3,0\right)[/latex] and [latex]\left(-1,0\right)[/latex].

The standard form of a quadratic function presents the function in the form

[latex]f\left(x\right)=a{\left(x-h\right)}^{2}+k[/latex]

where [latex]\left(h,\text{ }k\right)[/latex] is the vertex. Because the vertex appears in the standard form of the quadratic function, this form is also known as the vertex form of a quadratic function.

This desmos activity is for the Try It that follows.

Given a quadratic function in general form, find the vertex of the parabola.

One reason we may want to identify the vertex of the parabola is that this point will inform us where the maximum or minimum value of the output occurs, [latex]k[/latex], and where it occurs, [latex]h[/latex]. If we are given the general form of a quadratic function:

[latex]f(x)=ax^2+bx+c[/latex]

We can define the vertex, [latex](h,k)[/latex], by doing the following:

• Identify [latex]a[/latex], [latex]b[/latex], and [latex]c[/latex].
• Find [latex]h[/latex], the [latex]x[/latex]-coordinate of the vertex, by substituting [latex]a[/latex] and [latex]b[/latex] into [latex]h=-\dfrac{b}{2a}[/latex].
• Find [latex]k[/latex], the [latex]y[/latex]-coordinate of the vertex, by evaluating [latex]k=f\left(h\right)=f\left(-\dfrac{b}{2a}\right)[/latex]

Finding the Domain and Range of a Quadratic Function

Any number can be the input value of a quadratic function. Therefore the domain of any quadratic function is all real numbers. Because parabolas have a maximum or a minimum at the vertex, the range is restricted. Since the vertex of a parabola will be either a maximum or a minimum, the range will consist of all [latex]y[/latex]-values greater than or equal to the [latex]y[/latex]-coordinate of the vertex or less than or equal to the [latex]y[/latex]-coordinate at the turning point, depending on whether the parabola opens up or down.