The graph of  Quadratic Function
     
     The graph of the quadratic function  f (x) = x2
      Translation of the source quadratic function in the direction of the y-axis
         Quadratic function of the form  f (x) = x2 + y0
      Quadratic equation  x2 = aa > 0
     
The graph of the quadratic function  f (x) = x2
A function that to every real number associates its square is called a quadratic function and is denoted 
  f (x) = x2x Î R. The point P(x, x2) lies on the graph of a quadratic function called a parabola.
   
For x = 0 function f (x) = x2 has minimal value f (0) = 02 = 0. This point is called the turning point or the vertex of the parabola.
The curve is symmetrical about the y-axis and has its vertex V(0, 0) at the origin.
The curve is decreasing for x < 0 and is increasing for x > 0. 
If y = f (x), then  y = - f (x) is its reflection about the x-axis. 
Therefore, the graph of the quadratic  f (x) = -xhas its maximum at the vertex.
The curve is increasing for x < 0 and is decreasing for x > 0.
Translation (or shift) of the source quadratic function in the direction of the y-axis, quadratic function of the   form  f (x) = x2 + y0
Translating the graph of the source quadratic function vertically by y0, the vertex of the function moves to the point V(0, y0 ).
The translation or shift is in the positive direction of the y-axis (upward) if  y0 > 0, in the negative direction (downward) if  y0 < 0.
Points where a graph crosses or touches the x-axis are called x-intercepts, roots or zeros. At the x-intercept y = 0.
To find the zeros of the quadratic function, set the function equal to zero,  f (x) = 0, and solve for x.
That is, solve the equation  x2 + y0 = 0,  
Quadratic equation  x2 = aa > 0
If a > 0 then the quadratic equation x2 = a has two solutions,
   If a = 0 then the equation has zero as the double root, and if a < 0 then the equation has no real roots.
Examples:
 
Beginning Algebra Contents B
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