CXCDirect Institute Turning Point, Maximum and minimum and roots of a quadratic equation

CXC MATHEMATICS

Quadratic Equation
Maximum & Minimum

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 CXCDirect Institute Turning Point, Maximum and minimum and root of a quadratic equation

The Quadratic Equation : Finding h and k

Given the general form y = ax 2 +bx+c , we can convert

Graphs of the quadratic function, and Maximum & to the new form a ( x+ h )2 + k using a method known as
Minimum value completing the square:

This method results in the following two equations which

are very useful and should be memorized
2
b 4acb
h= , and k=
2a 4a

Case x = h

Now if we examine y=a x h 2 k eqn 1

we note that x the independent variable that can take on
any value.

Now at a certain value when: x = h , the equation

The graph of the quadratic function is a smooth curve for y becomes:
called a parabola. If the coefficient of the x 2 term is
negative, the parabola will have a maximum value. 2
y=a (h + h ) + k
2
So, the function 2x2 + x+5 will have a maximum value y=a( 0) + k
because the coefficient of the x 2 term is ( - 2 ) y=k
negative.

Similarly, the 3x 2+ x 5 will have a minimum value This is an important conclusion as it demonstrates that:
because the x 2 term is ( + 3 ) Positive.

General Forms of the quadratic Equation when x = - h: , y=k

where k is:
2
1. y= ax +bx + c The minimum value of the function , ( if a is positive) OR
2
2. y= a( x+ h) + k function with a minimum The maximum value of the function , ( if a is negative)
2
3. y= k a( x + h) function with a maximum

Finding the maximum or minimum value

To find the maximum or minimum value of the function, it

is first useful to express the function in either form #2 or
form #3 as shown above.
2
So if we have a function in the form y=ax +bx + c we
2
must first convert it to the new form y=a x h k
where h and k are two new constants .

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 CXCDirect Institute Turning Point, Maximum and minimum and roots of a quadratic equation
Example 1: Example 2:
2 2
Given the function y = 2( x1) 8 Given the function y = 133 ( x+2)

Determine: Determine:
1. The minimum value of the function 3. The maximum value of the function
2. The value of x at which the minimum occurs 4. The value of x at which the maximum occurs

Answer:
We note that the function is expressed in the form Answer:
2
y=a x h k where: a=2, h=1 and We note that the function is expressed in the form
2
k =8 y= k a ( x + h) where: a=3, h=2 and k =13

Maximum value of the function y = k = so ymax =

1) Minimum value of the function is; y= k so ymin= - 8 13
2) Minimum value of y occurs when x=h , so x= 1 Maximum value occurs when x=h , so x = -2

Equation of the axis of symmetry. x = - h

axis of symmetry

Turning Point

The minimum or maximum value of the quadratic

function occurs at a turning point.
Note that a line passing through this turning point is a line
of symmetry, and so the value of x at this maximum or
minimum point is also called the equation of the axis of
symmetry.

so: The equation of the axis of symmetry is x = - h

and

the coordinates of the turning point are:( ymin ,h )

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 CXCDirect Institute Turning Point, Maximum and minimum and root of a quadratic equation

Example: See Graph below showing the roots

2
Given y = 2x 4x6
2
1) Convert this function to the form y= a( x+h) + k
2) Find:
i. The equation of the axis of symmetry
ii. The minimum value of y
iii.The y intercept ( where the function cuts the y -axis)

Answer:
Now a=2, b=4 and c=6
b 4
so h= = = -1
2a 22

2 2
4acb 4 2(6) (4)
and k = = = 8
4a 42
so ( a = 2, h = -1, k = - 8)

Therefore:

1) the new form is: 2

y= 2( x1) 8 Watch on

2)
i) The equation of the axis of symmetry is: x = - h = 1 nb:
ii) The minimum value of y is: y = k = - 8 The roots of the equation may also be found using the
iii) Y-intercept = c = - 6 quadratic formula; 2x 2 4x6

now: a =2 , b=4 and c=6

Roots of the quadratic function (equation)

b b 4ac
2

The roots of the quadratic equation is defined as the two

so: x =
2a
points where the function cuts the x- axis.
4 (4 ) 4 2(6)
2
=
To find the roots; we set y to zero and solve by transposition 22
4 16+ 48
2 =
so if : y= 2( x1) 8 4

then 2( x1) 8=0

2 48
=
2 4
so 2( x1) =8
2 4+8
2( x1) =8 so: x = =3
4
( x1)= 82
48
x=1 4 or x = =-1
4
x=1 2

Ans: ( x = 3, or - 1 )
so x=1+2=3
or x=12=-1

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