You were working with quadratic equations in chapter 11.2. A quadratic equation is any equation that can be written as 
where a,b,and c are numbers and a is not zero. Here's an example
.
You were able to use the quadratic formula to find the solutions to these equations.
In this chapter, you are looking at quadratic functions. That is any equation that can be put into the form
.
Here's a specific example,
.
Do you see the difference between quadratic equations and quadratic functions? They look basically the same except the former has a zero and the latter a y. What that little y does is make the equation graph-able. In fact, all quadratic function when graphed have a very familiar shape--the parabola
The skill you are going to learn in this chapter is how to take any quadratic function and be able to graph it. Now back when you used to graph lines like y=3x+5 it was easier. All you needed to find to graph the line were 2 points. It's a little more complex now. For any quadratic function, you need to be able to find 5 things.
1) the direction/orientation of the parabola
2) the vertex of the parabola
3) the line of symmetry
4) the y-intercept
5) the x-intercept/s
where a,b,and c are numbers and a is not zero. Here's an example
You were able to use the quadratic formula to find the solutions to these equations.
In this chapter, you are looking at quadratic functions. That is any equation that can be put into the form
Here's a specific example,
Do you see the difference between quadratic equations and quadratic functions? They look basically the same except the former has a zero and the latter a y. What that little y does is make the equation graph-able. In fact, all quadratic function when graphed have a very familiar shape--the parabola
The skill you are going to learn in this chapter is how to take any quadratic function and be able to graph it. Now back when you used to graph lines like y=3x+5 it was easier. All you needed to find to graph the line were 2 points. It's a little more complex now. For any quadratic function, you need to be able to find 5 things.
1) the direction/orientation of the parabola
2) the vertex of the parabola
3) the line of symmetry
4) the y-intercept
5) the x-intercept/s
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