Parabolas
Aquadratic functionis a function that can be written in the formwhere, andare real numbers and. This form is called the standard form of a quadratic function.
Thegraph二次函数的u型曲线是called aparabola.
The graph of the equation, shown below, is a parabola. (Note that this is a quadratic function in standard form withand.)
In the graph, the highest or lowest point of a parabola is the vertex. The vertex of the graph ofis.
Ifin, the parabolaopens upward. In this case the vertex is the minimum, or lowest point, of the parabola. A large positive value ofmakes a narrow parabola; a positive value ofwhich is close tomakes the parabola wide.
If in, the parabolaopens downward. In this case the vertex is the maximum, or highest point, of the parabola. Again, a large negative value ofmakes the parabola narrow; a value close to zero makes it wide.
For an equation in standard form, the value ofgives the -interceptof the graph.
The line that passes through the vertex and divides the parabola into two symmetric parts is called the axis of symmetry.
The equation of the axis of symmetry for the graph of, where, is
In all the above graphs, the axis of symmetry is the-axis,. In the graphs below, the axis of symmetry is different (marked in red.) Note thatstill gives the-intercept.
If you write a quadratic function like, whereis a function of(instead of aas a function of), you get a parabola where the axis of symmetry is horizontal.
Note that in this case,is the-intercept. Ifis positive, the graph opens to the right; ifis negative, the graph opens to the left.
Example:
Write the equation of the axis of symmetry, and find the coordinates of the vertex of the parabola.
The equation of the axis of symmetry for the graph of.
Substituteforandforin the equation of the axis of symmetry.
So, the equation of the axis of symmetry is.
Since the equation of the axis of symmetry isand the vertex lies on the axis, the-coordinate of the vertex is.
To find the-coordinate of the vertex, first substituteforin the given equation.
Simplify.
Therefore, the coordinates of the vertex of the parabola is.
See also