<p> A quadratic function can be written in the form </p><p> y = ax2 + bx + c.</p><p>The graph is a smooth curve called a parabola.</p><p>Directions for Graphing a Parabola</p><p> Find the coordinates of the vertex A quadratic function can be  Decide whether the graph opens written in the form up or down y = ax2 + bx + c.  Find the y-intercept</p><p> Reflect that point over the axis of symmetry The graph is a smooth curve</p><p> Graph one other set of points by called a parabola. following the general pattern or plugging in values Directions for Graphing a Parabola</p><p> Find the coordinates of the vertex</p><p> Decide whether the graph opens up or down</p><p> Find the y-intercept  Reflect that point over the axis of  This value is the y-coordinate of symmetry the vertex (the y value tells how high or low the parabola goes)  Graph one other set of points by following the general pattern or plugging in values Standard Form</p><p> y = ax2 + bx + c</p><p> vertex (, ? )</p><p> y-intercept (0, c)</p><p>Vertex Form</p><p> y = a(x - h)2 + k</p><p> vertex (h, k)</p><p> y-intercept (0, ?)</p><p>In general Intercept Form</p><p> If a > 0 the graph opens up, if y = a(x – p)(x – q) a < 0 the graph opens down x-intercepts (p, 0) and (q,0)  The larger the absolute value of a, the narrower the graph vertex ( , ?) (this is half-way between p and q)</p><p> Each parabola has either a y-intercept (0, ?) maximum or a minimum value In general Intercept Form</p><p> If a > 0 the graph opens up, if y = a(x – p)(x – q) a < 0 the graph opens down x-intercepts (p, 0) and (q,0)  The larger the absolute value of vertex ( , ?) a, the narrower the graph (this is half-way between p and q)</p><p> y-intercept (0, ?)  Each parabola has either a maximum or a minimum value</p><p> This value is the y-coordinate of the vertex (the y value tells how high or low the parabola goes)</p><p>Standard Form</p><p> y = ax2 + bx + c</p><p> vertex (, ? )</p><p> y-intercept (0, c)</p><p>Vertex Form</p><p> y = a(x - h)2 + k</p><p> vertex (h, k)</p><p> y-intercept (0, ?)</p>