Quadratic Functions and Equations: Vocabulary

axis of symmetry A line that divides a plane figure into two

congruent reflected halves; Any line through a figure such that a point
on one side of the line is the same distance to the axis as its
corresponding point on the other side.
Example:

This is a graph of the parabola

y = x 4x + 2 together with its axis of symmetry x = 2.
2

maximum The y-value of the highest point on the graph of the

function.

minimum The y-value of the lowest point on the graph of the

function.

parabola The shape of the graph of a quadratic function.

quadratic function A function that can be written in the form

f ( x) ax 2 bx c where a 0 .

root of an equation A solution to an equation of the form f(x) = 0. A

root of an equation of a function is also known as a zero of an
function.
Example: A root of the equation y = 6x 18 is 3 because
when 3 is substituted in for x, the value of y = 0.
Example: The roots of x2 x 2 0 are x 2 and x 1 . The
equation is true if we substitute either x 2 or x 1 into the
equation.

vertex The highest or lowest point on the parabola.

x-intercept (A) (G) The point at which the graph of a relation

intercepts the x-axis. The ordered pair for this point has a value of y
= 0.
Example: The equation y = 8 + 2x has an x-intercept of -4.

zero of a function For the function f, any number x such that f(x)=0.
Zero of a function is also known as the roots of an equation.