10.

2 Graph
y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c
Before You graphed simple quadratic functions.
Now You will graph general quadratic functions.
Why? So you can investigate a cable’s height, as in Example 4.

Key Vocabulary You can use the properties below to graph any quadratic function. You will
• minimum value justify the formula for the axis of symmetry in Exercise 38 on page 639.
• maximum value
KEY CONCEPT For Your Notebook
Properties of the Graph of a Quadratic Function
The graph of y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c is a parabola that:
• opens up if a . 0 and opens down if a , 0. y 5 ax 2 1 bx 1 c, a > 0

• is narrower than the graph of y 5 x2 y

if ⏐a⏐ . 1 and wider if ⏐a⏐ , 1.
(0, c)
b
• has an axis of symmetry of x 5 2} .
2a
b x
• has a vertex with an x-coordinate of 2} .
2a
b
• has a y-intercept of c. So, the point (0, c) is x 5 2 2a
on the parabola.

EXAMPLE 1 Find the axis of symmetry and the vertex

Consider the function y 5 22x 2 1 12x 2 7.
a. Find the axis of symmetry of the graph of the function.
b. Find the vertex of the graph of the function.

Solution
a. For the function y 5 22x2 1 12x 2 7, a 5 22 and b 5 12.
b 12
x 5 2}
2a
5 2}
2(22)
53 Substitute 22 for a and 12 for b. Then simplify.
IDENTIFY THE
VERTEX b
b. The x-coordinate of the vertex is 2} , or 3.
Because the vertex 2a
lies on the axis of
To find the y-coordinate, substitute 3 for x in the function and find y.
symmetry, x 5 3, the
x-coordinate of the y 5 –2(3)2 1 12(3) 2 7 5 11 Substitute 3 for x. Then simplify.
vertex is 3.
c The vertex is (3, 11).

10.2 Graph y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c 635

 EXAMPLE 2 Graph y 5 ax 2 1 bx 1 c
Graph y 5 3x 2 2 6x 1 2.
STEP 1 Determine whether the parabola opens up or down. Because a . 0,
the parabola opens up.
AVOID ERRORS b 26
STEP 2 Find and draw the axis of symmetry: x 5 2}
2a
5 2}
2(3)
5 1.
Be sure to include the
negative sign before
STEP 3 Find and plot the vertex. y
the fraction when
b (21, 11) (3, 11)
calculating the axis of The x-coordinate of the vertex is 2}2a
,
symmetry. or 1.
To find the y-coordinate, substitute
1 for x in the function and simplify.
y 5 3(1)2 2 6(1) 1 2 5 21 x51
axis of
So, the vertex is (1, 21). symmetry
3
STEP 4 Plot two points. Choose two x-values
less than the x-coordinate of the vertex. (0, 2) (2, 2)
Then find the corresponding y-values.
3 x
x 0 21 vertex (1, 21)

REVIEW y 2 11
REFLECTIONS
STEP 5 Reflect the points plotted in Step 4 in the axis of symmetry.
For help with
reflections, see p. 922. STEP 6 Draw a parabola through the plotted points.
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✓ GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 1 and 2

1. Find the axis of symmetry and the vertex of the graph of the function
y 5 x2 2 2x 2 3.
2. Graph the function y 5 3x2 1 12x 2 1. Label the vertex and axis
of symmetry.

KEY CONCEPT For Your Notebook

Minimum and Maximum Values
For y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c, the y-coordinate of the vertex is the minimum value
of the function if a . 0 or the maximum value of the function if a , 0.
y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c, a > 0 y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c, a < 0
y y
maximum

x
x
minimum

636 Chapter 10 Quadratic Equations and Functions

 EXAMPLE 3 Find the minimum or maximum value
Tell whether the function f(x) 5 23x 2 2 12x 1 10 has a minimum value or a
maximum value. Then find the minimum or maximum value.

Solution
Because a 5 23 and 23 , 0, the parabola opens down and the function has a
maximum value. To find the maximum value, find the vertex.
b 212 b
x 5 2}
2a
5 2}
2(23)
5 22 The x-coordinate is 2}
2a .

f(22) 5 23(22)2 2 12(22) 1 10 5 22 Substitute 22 for x. Then simplify.

c The maximum value of the function is f(22) 5 22.

EXAMPLE 4 Find the minimum value of a function

SUSPENSION BRIDGES The suspension cables between the two towers of the
Mackinac Bridge in Michigan form a parabola that can be modeled by the
graph of y 5 0.000097x2 2 0.37x 1 549 where x and y are measured in feet.
What is the height of the cable above the water at its lowest point?

500

500 x

Solution
The lowest point of the cable is at the vertex of the parabola. Find the
x-coordinate of the vertex. Use a 5 0.000097 and b 5 20.37.
b 20.37
x 5 2}
2a
5 2}
2(0.000097)
≈ 1910 Use a calculator.

Substitute 1910 for x in the equation to find the y-coordinate of the vertex.
y ≈ 0.000097(1910)2 2 0.37(1910) 1 549 ≈ 196
c The cable is about 196 feet above the water at its lowest point.

✓ GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 3 and 4

3. Tell whether the function f(x) 5 6x2 1 18x 1 13 has a minimum value or a
maximum value. Then find the minimum or maximum value.
4. SUSPENSION BRIDGES The cables between the two towers of the Takoma
Narrows Bridge form a parabola that can be modeled by the graph of the
equation y 5 0.00014x2 2 0.4x 1 507 where x and y are measured in feet.
What is the height of the cable above the water at its lowest point? Round
your answer to the nearest foot.

10.2 Graph y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c 637

 10.2 EXERCISES HOMEWORK
KEY
5 WORKED-OUT SOLUTIONS
on p. WS1 for Exs. 9 and 41
★ 5 STANDARDIZED TEST PRACTICE
Exs. 2, 12, 27, 37, 42, and 44

SKILL PRACTICE
1. VOCABULARY Explain how you can tell whether a quadratic function has
a maximum value or minimum value without graphing the function.

2. ★ WRITING Describe the steps you would take to graph a quadratic

function in standard form.

EXAMPLE 1 FINDING AXIS OF SYMMETRY AND VERTEX Find the axis of symmetry and
on p. 635 the vertex of the graph of the function.
for Exs. 3–14
3. y 5 2x2 2 8x 1 6 4. y 5 x2 2 6x 1 11 5. y 5 23x2 1 24x 2 22
6. y 5 2x2 2 10x 7. y 5 6x2 1 6x 8. y 5 4x2 1 7
2 1 2 1
9. y 5 2} x2 2 1 10. y 5 } x 1 8x 2 9 11. y 5 2}
4
x2 1 3x 2 2
3 2

12. ★ MULTIPLE CHOICE What is the vertex of the graph of the function
y 5 23x2 1 18x 2 13?
A (23, 294) B (23, 214) C (3, 213) D (3, 14)

ERROR ANALYSIS Describe and correct the error in finding the axis of
symmetry of the graph of the given function.
3
13. y 5 2x2 1 16x 2 1 14. y 5 2}x2 1 18x 2 5
2

b 16 b 18
x5} 5} 54 x 5 2} 5 2} 5 –6
2a 2(2) 2a 3
21 } 2
2
The axis of symmetry is x 5 4. The axis of symmetry is x 5 26.

EXAMPLE 2 GRAPHING QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS Graph the function. Label the vertex
on p. 636 and axis of symmetry.
for Exs. 15–27
15. y 5 x2 1 6x 1 2 16. y 5 x2 1 4x 1 8 17. y 5 2x2 1 7x 1 21
18. y 5 5x2 1 10x 2 3 19. y 5 4x2 1 x 2 32 20. y 5 24x2 1 4x 1 8
1 1
21. y 5 23x2 2 2x 2 5 22. y 5 28x2 2 12x 1 1 23. y 5 2x2 1 } x1}
4 2
1 2 1 1 2
24. y 5 } x 1 6x 2 9 25. y 5 2} x2 1 6x 1 3 26. y 5 2}
4
x 2x11
3 2

27. ★ MULTIPLE CHOICE Which function has the y

graph shown? (2, 5)
5
A y 5 22x2 1 8x 1 3
(0, 3)
1
B y 5 2}
2
x2 1 2x 1 3
1 2
C y5} x 1 2x 1 3
2 1 x
2
D y 5 2x 1 8x 1 3

638 Chapter 10 Quadratic Equations and Functions

EXAMPLE 3 MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM VALUES Tell whether the function has a minimum
on p. 637 value or a maximum value. Then find the minimum or maximum value.
for Exs. 28–36
28. f(x) 5 x2 2 6 29. f(x) 5 25x2 1 7 30. f(x) 5 4x2 1 32x
31. f(x) 5 23x2 1 12x 2 20 32. f(x) 5 x2 1 7x 1 8 33. f(x) 5 22x2 2 x 1 10
1 2 3 1 2
34. f(x) 5 } x 2 2x 1 5 35. f(x) 5 2} x2 1 9x 36. f(x) 5 } x 1 7x 1 11
2 8 4

37. ★ WRITING Compare the graph of y 5 x 1 4x 1 1 with the graph of

2

y 5 x2 2 4x 1 1.

38. REASONING Follow the steps below to justify the equation for the axis
of symmetry for the graph of y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c. Because the graph of
y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c is a vertical translation of the graph of y 5 ax2 1 bx,
the two graphs have the same axis of symmetry. Use the function
y 5 ax2 1 bx in place of y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c.
a. Find the x-intercepts of the graph of y 5 ax2 1 bx. (You can do this
by finding the zeros of the function y 5 ax2 1 bx using factoring.)
b. Because a parabola is symmetric about its axis of symmetry, the
axis of symmetry passes through a point halfway between the
x-intercepts of the parabola. Find the x-coordinate of this point.
What is an equation of the vertical line through this point?

39. CHALLENGE Write a function of the form y 5 ax2 1 bx whose graph

contains the points (1, 6) and (3, 6).

PROBLEM SOLVING
GRAPHING CALCULATOR You may wish to use a graphing calculator to
complete the following Problem Solving exercises.

EXAMPLE 4 40. SPIDERS Fishing spiders can propel themselves across water and leap
on p. 637 vertically from the surface of the water. During a vertical jump, the
for Exs. 40–42 height of the body of the spider can be modeled by the function
y 5 24500x2 1 820x 1 43 where x is the duration (in seconds) of the
jump and y is the height (in millimeters) of the spider above the surface
of the water. After how many seconds does the spider’s body reach its
maximum height? What is the maximum height?
GPS
QSPCMFN
TPMWJOH
IFMQ
BU
DMBTT[POFDPN

41. ARCHITECTURE The parabolic arches that support the roof of the
Dallas Convention Center can be modeled by the graph of the equation
y 5 20.0019x2 1 0.71x where x and y are measured in feet. What is the
height h at the highest point of the arch as shown in the diagram?
y

h
20

30 x

GPS
QSPCMFN
TPMWJOH
IFMQ
BU
DMBTT[POFDPN

10.2 Graph y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c 639

 42. ★ EXTENDED RESPONSE Students are selling packages of flower bulbs
to raise money for a class trip. Last year, when the students charged
$5 per package, they sold 150 packages. The students want to increase
the cost per package. They estimate that they will lose 10 sales for each
$1 increase in the cost per package. The sales revenue R (in dollars)
generated by selling the packages is given by the function
R 5 (5 1 n)(150 2 10n) where n is the number of $1 increases.
a. Write the function in standard form.
b. Find the maximum value of the function.
c. At what price should the packages be sold to generate the most sales
revenue? Explain your reasoning.

43. AIRCRAFT An aircraft hangar is a large y

building where planes are stored. The
opening of one airport hangar is a
parabolic arch that can be modeled by the
50
graph of the equation y 5 20.007x2 1 1.7x
where x and y are measured in feet. Graph
the function. Use the graph to determine
50 x
how wide the hangar is at its base.

44. ★ SHORT RESPONSE The casts of some Broadway shows go on tour,

performing their shows in cities across the United States. For the period
1990–2001, the number of tickets sold S (in millions) for Broadway road
tours can be modeled by the function S 5 332 1 132t 2 10.4t 2 where t is
the number of years since 1990. Was the greatest number of tickets for
Broadway road tours sold in 1995? Explain.

45. CHALLENGE During an archery competition, y

an archer shoots an arrow from 1.5 meters
2 vertex (18, 1.6)
off of the ground. The arrow follows the
parabolic path shown and hits the ground in (0, 1.5)
1
front of the target 90 meters away. Use the
y-intercept and the points on the graph to
write an equation for the graph that models 10 (90, 0) x
the path of the arrow.

MIXED REVIEW
Graph the equation. (pp. 215, 225, 244)
2
46. y 5 3 47. x 2 5y 5 15 48. y 5 2} x26
3

Simplify.
12y 2 4
49. 23(4 2 2x) 2 9 (p. 96) 50. 2(1 2 a) 2 5a (p. 96) 51. } (p. 103)
24
6u3 uv2
52. (22mn)4 (p. 489) 53. 5 p (7w 7)2 (p. 489) 54. } p } (p. 495)
v 36
PREVIEW Find the zeros of the polynomial function.
Prepare for
55. f(x) 5 x2 2 4x 2 21 (p. 583) 56. f(x) 5 x2 1 10x 1 24 (p. 583)
Lesson 10.3 in
Exs. 55–58. 57. f(x) 5 5x2 1 18x 1 9 (p. 593) 58. f(x) 5 2x2 1 4x 2 6 (p. 593)

640 EXTRA PRACTICE for Lesson 10.2, p. 947 ONLINE QUIZ at classzone.com
 Extension
Use after Lesson 10.2
Key Vocabulary
• intercept form
FIND ZEROS OF A
FUNCTION
Notice that the x-intercepts
of the graph are also the
zeros of the function:
0 5 2(x 1 1)( x 2 5)
x 1 1 5 0 or x 2 5 5 0
x 5 21 or x 5 5
Graph Quadratic Functions in
Intercept Form
GOAL Graph quadratic functions in intercept form.
In Lesson 10.2 you graphed quadratic functions written in standard
form. Quadratic functions can also be written in intercept form,
y 5 a(x 2 p)(x 2 q) where a Þ 0. In this form, the x-intercepts of the graph
can easily be determined.
KEY CONCEPT For Your Notebook
Graph of Intercept Form y 5 a(x 2 p)(x 2 q)
Characteristics of the graph of y 5 a(x 2 p)(x 2 q):
y p1q
• The x-intercepts are p and q. x5 2
• The axis of symmetry is halfway between
(p, 0) and (q, 0). So, the axis of symmetry
p1q
is x 5 }.
2 (p, 0) (q, 0) x
• The parabola opens up if a . 0 and opens
down if a , 0.
EXAMPLE 1 Graph a quadratic function in intercept form
Graph y 5 2(x 1 1)(x 2 5).
Solution
STEP 1 Identify and plot the x-intercepts. Because p 5 21 and q 5 5,
the x-intercepts occur at the points (21, 0) and (5, 0).
STEP 2 Find and draw the axis of symmetry. y
p1q
x 5 } 5 21 15 (2, 9)
}52
2 2
STEP 3 Find and plot the vertex.
The x-coordinate of the vertex is 2.
5
To find the y-coordinate of the vertex,
substitute 2 for x and simplify.
y 5 2(2 1 1)(2 2 5) 5 9
So, the vertex is (2, 9). (21, 0) (5, 0)
1 x
STEP 4 Draw a parabola through the vertex
and the points where the x-intercepts
occur.
Extension: Graph Quadratic Functions in Intercept Form 641
 EXAMPLE 2 Graph a quadratic function
Graph y 5 2x 2 2 8.

Solution
STEP 1 Rewrite the quadratic function in intercept form.
y 5 2x2 2 8 Write original function.
2
5 2(x 2 4) Factor out common factor.

5 2(x 1 2)(x 2 2) Difference of two squares pattern

STEP 2 Identify and plot the x-intercepts. Because p 5 22 and q 5 2,

the x-intercepts occur at the points (22, 0) and (2, 0).
STEP 3 Find and draw the axis of symmetry. y
p1q
x 5 } 5 22
}50
12 (22, 0)
21
1 (2, 0) x
2 2
STEP 4 Find and plot the vertex.
The x-coordinate of the vertex is 0.
The y-coordinate of the vertex is:
y 5 2(0)2 2 8 5 28
So, the vertex is (0, 28). (0, 28)

STEP 5 Draw a parabola through the vertex and

the points where the x-intercepts occur.

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PRACTICE
EXAMPLE 1 Graph the quadratic function. Label the vertex, axis of symmetry, and
on p. 641 for x-intercepts.
Exs. 1–9
1. y 5 (x 1 2)(x 2 3) 2. y 5 (x 1 5)(x 1 2) 3. y 5 (x 1 9)2
4. y 5 22(x 2 5)(x 1 1) 5. y 5 25(x 1 7)(x 1 2) 6. y 5 3(x 2 6)(x 2 3)
1
7. y 5 2} (x 1 4)(x 2 2) 8. y 5 (x 2 7)(2x 2 3) 9. y 5 2(x 1 10)(x 2 3)
2
EXAMPLE 2 10. y 5 2x2 1 8x 2 16 11. y 5 2x2 2 9x 2 18 12. y 5 12x2 2 48
on p. 642 for
13. y 5 26x2 1 294 14. y 5 3x2 2 24x 1 36 15. y 5 20x2 2 6x 2 2
Exs. 10–15

16. Follow the steps below to write an equation of the y

parabola shown.
a. Find the x-intercepts.
b. Use the values of p and q and the coordinates of
the vertex to find the value of a in the equation
y 5 a(x 2 p)(x 2 q). 1

c. Write a quadratic equation in intercept form. 1 x

642 Chapter 10 Quadratic Equations and Functions