Quadratic equations are a fundamental part of algebra, describing curves called parabolas. They pop up in everyday situations, from calculating profit margins to predicting projectile motion. Understanding how to solve and graph these equations unlocks a world of practical problem-solving skills.

Mastering quadratics involves three key methods: graphing, factoring, and using the quadratic formula. Each approach has its strengths, and knowing when to use which method is crucial. Real-world applications of quadratics include solving area problems, working with consecutive integers, and tackling right triangle puzzles.

Quadratic Equations

Quadratic equation solving methods

• Graphing quadratic equations
  • Plot the equation $y = ax^2 + bx + c$ on a coordinate plane by calculating points or using a graphing tool (graphing calculator, online graphing tool)
  • Locate the x-intercepts where the graph intersects the x-axis, representing the roots or solutions of the equation
• Factoring quadratic equations
  • Rewrite the quadratic equation $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$ in standard form
  • Decompose the quadratic expression into the product of two linear factors: $(px + q)(rx + s) = 0$ (common factors: $x^2 + 2x + 1 = (x + 1)(x + 1)$, $x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3)$)
  • Utilize the zero product property: if the product of two factors equals zero, at least one factor must be zero
  • Determine the values of x by setting each factor equal to zero and solving the resulting linear equations
• Quadratic formula
  • Apply the quadratic formula to solve equations in the form $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$ when factoring is not feasible or efficient
  • Quadratic formula: $x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$, where $a$, $b$, and $c$ are the coefficients of the quadratic equation
  • Input the values of $a$, $b$, and $c$ into the formula and calculate the solutions by simplifying the expression (example: $2x^2 + 7x - 4 = 0$, $a = 2$, $b = 7$, $c = -4$)

Real-world applications of quadratics

• Area problems
  • Define the area of a rectangle using the formula $A = lw$, where $l$ represents the length and $w$ represents the width
  • Formulate a quadratic equation by replacing the length and width with expressions based on the problem context (example: length is 3 units more than the width, $l = w + 3$)
  • Determine the dimensions of the rectangle by solving the quadratic equation for the unknown variable
• Consecutive integer problems
  • Assign the variable $x$ to represent the first integer in a sequence of consecutive integers (example: $x$, $x + 1$, $x + 2$ for three consecutive integers)
  • Construct expressions for the subsequent integers in the sequence using $x$ as a reference
  • Develop a quadratic equation using the information provided in the problem and solve for $x$ to find the consecutive integers
• Right triangle problems
  • Apply the Pythagorean theorem: $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$, where $c$ represents the hypotenuse and $a$ and $b$ represent the legs of the right triangle
  • Replace the lengths of the sides with expressions based on the given information in the problem (example: one leg is 2 units shorter than the hypotenuse, $a = c - 2$)
  • Generate a quadratic equation and solve for the missing variable to determine the lengths of the triangle's sides

Graphing Parabolas

Key features of parabola graphs

• Parabola equation in standard form: $y = ax^2 + bx + c$
  • The value of $a$ determines the orientation and steepness of the parabola
    • For $a > 0$, the parabola opens upward (positive quadratic term, U-shaped graph)
    • For $a < 0$, the parabola opens downward (negative quadratic term, inverted U-shaped graph)
  • This equation represents a quadratic function, which is a type of polynomial
• Vertex
  • The vertex is the extreme point of the parabola, either a maximum or minimum point depending on the orientation
  • Vertex formula: $(\frac{-b}{2a}, f(\frac{-b}{2a}))$, where $\frac{-b}{2a}$ is the x-coordinate and $f(\frac{-b}{2a})$ is the y-coordinate of the vertex
• Axis of symmetry
  • The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that passes through the vertex and divides the parabola into two equal halves
  • Equation of the axis of symmetry: $x = \frac{-b}{2a}$, derived from the x-coordinate of the vertex
• x-intercepts (roots or solutions)
  • The x-intercepts are the points where the parabola intersects the x-axis, representing the solutions to the quadratic equation
  • To determine the x-intercepts, set $y = 0$ and solve the resulting quadratic equation using factoring or the quadratic formula (example: $y = x^2 - 4x - 5$, $x$-intercepts at $x = 5$ and $x = -1$)

Properties of quadratic functions

• Domain and range
  • The domain of a quadratic function is typically all real numbers, as the function is defined for any x-value
  • The range depends on the orientation of the parabola:
    • For $a > 0$ (opens upward), the range is $[y_{vertex}, \infty)$
    • For $a < 0$ (opens downward), the range is $(-\infty, y_{vertex}]$
• Concavity
  • The concavity of a parabola describes its curvature:
    • When $a > 0$, the parabola is concave up (opens upward)
    • When $a < 0$, the parabola is concave down (opens downward)
  • The concavity determines whether the vertex is a minimum or maximum point