Level K: Equations of Quadratic Functions

LEVEL K K 31-40 : Equations of Quadratic Functions
Form 1: Vertex form

𝒚 = 𝒂(𝒙 − 𝒑)𝟐 + 𝒒 , where (𝑝, 𝑞) is the vertex of
K 1-10 : Review of Linear Functions
the parabola
Any linear function can be expressed in the form
If 𝑎 > 0, the parabola opens upward.
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where m is the gradient of the line, b is
the y-intercept. If 𝑎 < 0, the parabola opens downward.
Given a line passes through (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ),
the gradient of the line can be found by: Form 2: x-intercept form
𝑦2 − 𝑦1 𝒚 = 𝒂(𝒙 − 𝜶)(𝒙 − 𝜷) , where 𝛼 and 𝛽 are the zeros

𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = / x-intercepts of the quadratic function.
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
Line 𝑥 = 𝑘 is a straight line parallel to the y-axis. The parabola crosses the x-axis at (𝛼, 0) and (𝛽, 0)
Line 𝑦 = 𝑘 is a straight line parallel to the x-axis.
Form 3: Standard form
K 11-30 : Quadratic Functions & Graphs 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 , where c is the y-intercept
Given a quadratic function of the form To determine the equation of a quadratic function,
𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑝)2 + 𝑞 , where 𝑎 ≠ 0 we first identify the type of information given:
 The axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = 𝑝 Type 1: Vertex & one point

 The vertex is (𝑝, 𝑞)
How to complete the square,
Type 2: x-intercepts & one point
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑝)2 + 𝑞 is a translation of

𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 , 𝑝 units along the x-axis and 𝑞 units along
the y-axis. The vertex is (𝑝, 𝑞)
To draw the graph of a quadratic function, find the Type 3: Three points
(1) vertex, (2) y-intercept and (3) x-intercept
K 41-70 : Maxima & Minima of Quadratic Visualise the method:
Functions
Given a quadratic function 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
When 𝒂 > 𝟎, the function has a minimum value at
the vertex. When 𝒂 < 𝟎, the function has a
maximum value at the vertex.
To find the minimum/maximum value:
1) Draw the graph of the function
2) Highlight only the part of the curve which lies
within the domain
3) Range: Minimum value ≤ 𝑦 ≤ Maximum value
K 71-80 : Quadratic Functions & Equations

The number of real roots of 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 is
the same as the number of common points of 𝒚 =
𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 and the x-axis.
Given a quadratic function 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, and
define 𝐷 = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐.
 2 common points ⇔ 𝐷>0
 1 common point ⇔ 𝐷=0
How to find the minimum/maximum value (when  0 common points ⇔ 𝐷<0
the domain is arbitrary, K51-60): ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1) Prepare two rulers, pretend that they are the lower Similarly, the number of real solutions of the
boundary and the upper boundary of the domain. 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
simultaneous equations { is the
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑛
2) Place the rulers on the graph. Gradually move
same as the number of common points of 𝑦 =
both rulers from left to right.
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 and 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑛.
3) Observe how the maximum and minimum value
*** The quadratic equation would be
changes as the ruler passes through certain “critical
𝑎𝑥 2 + (𝑏 − 𝑚)𝑥 + 𝑐 − 𝑛 = 0
points”. E.g. when ruler x=a+4 is to the left of x=5,
the minimum value of the function is f(a+4), but
when it moves to the right of x=5, the minimum
value becomes f(5).
(when the function is arbitrary, K61-70):
1) As (1) above.
2) Place the rulers on the graph. Move both rulers
from right to left. In that sense, the parabola is
moving from left to right.
3) As (3) above.
K 81-90 : Quadratic Functions & Inequalities K 91-100 : Solutions of Quadratic Equations
To solve a quadratic inequality, first find the x- Given a quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 (𝑎 >
intercept(s) of the quadratic function. 0) with two solutions 𝛼 and 𝛽 (𝛼 < 𝛽) , we can
determine the signs of 𝛼 and 𝛽 by determining the
𝑏
signs of 𝐷, − 2𝑎 and y-intercept, 𝑓(0).
Given quadratic function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 in

the domain ℎ < 𝑥 < 𝑘,
𝑓(ℎ) ∙ 𝑓(𝑘) < 0 ⇒ there is exactly one solution
between h and k
A general theorem (Intermediate Value Theorem)
will be revisited in level N.
K 101-110 : Higher Degree Functions

A function that can be written as 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 +
𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 is called a cubic function.
In some cases, the quadratic function does not touch

/cross the x-axis (𝐷 < 0).
A function that can be written as 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 4 + 𝑏𝑥 3 +

𝑐𝑥 2 + 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑒 is called a quartic function.
Summary: (assume a > 0)
Extra Notes:
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑝)3 + 𝑞 is a translation of Note: One may need to apply the factor theorem.
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 3 , 𝑝 units along the x-axis and 𝑞 units along
the y-axis. K 121-140 : Graphs of Fractional Functions
Similarly, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑏(𝑥 − 𝑝)4 + 𝑞 is a 𝒌
The asymptotes of the graph of 𝒚 = 𝒙−𝒑 + 𝒒
translation of 𝑦 = 𝑏𝑥 4 , 𝑝 units along the x-axis and
𝑞 units along the y-axis. (𝑘 ≠ 0) are 𝒙 = 𝒑 and 𝒚 = 𝒒.
K 111-120 : Higher Degree Equations & Inequalities

To solve higher degree equations, we factorise the
polynomial expression and equate to zero.
Extra Notes:
To solve higher degree inequalities, sketch the

graph of the function and determine the range of
values of x which satisfies the inequality.
If a domain is specified, highlight only the part of
the graph which lies within the domain.
𝒃
The asymptotes of the graph of 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙 + 𝒙 are
𝒙 = 𝟎 and 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙 (oblique asymptote).
𝒌
Given a fractional function 𝒚 = 𝒙 − 𝒑 + 𝒙−𝒑 + 𝒒 . Method 2: Multiply the square of the denominator
𝒌
The graph has been translated from 𝒚 = 𝒙 + 𝒙 , p
units along the x-axis and q units along the y-axis.
K 151-160 : Graphs of Irrational Functions
K 141-150 : Fractional Equations & Inequalities

To solve fractional equations,
We must always check each solution and reject any

that make a denominator in the equation zero.
K 161-170 : Irrational Equations & Inequalities
When solving irrational equation, check if solutions
correspond to common points on the graph.
To solve a fractional inequality,

Method 1: Graphical method
Alternatively, substitute the solution into the

original equation and check if LHS = RHS.
To solve irrational inequalities, first solve the The graph of 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙−𝒑 + 𝒒 (where a > 0 and a ≠ 1)
equation, then look for range of values of x that is a translation of 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙 , p units along the x-axis
satisfy the inequality from the graph. and q units along the y-axis.
Since an exponential function is monotonic,
K 191-200 : Exponential Equations & Inequalities

When solving equations, use a common base.
K 171-190 : Exponential Functions and Graphs
Properties of exponents:
When solving inequalities, we switch the inequality

sign if the base is < 1, leave the inequality sign
unchanged if the base is > 1.
The graph of an exponential function:
Transformation effects:
𝟏 𝒙
𝒚 = (𝒂) or 𝒚 = 𝒂−𝒙 (where a > 0 and a ≠ 1) is a
reflection of 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙 with respect to the y-axis.
𝒚 = −𝒂𝒙 is a reflection of 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙 with respect to
the x-axis.

Level K: Equations of Quadratic Functions

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LEVEL K K 31-40 : Equations of Quadratic Functions

Form 1: Vertex form

𝑦2 − 𝑦1 𝒚 = 𝒂(𝒙 − 𝜶)(𝒙 − 𝜷) , where 𝛼 and 𝛽 are the zeros

K 11-30 : Quadratic Functions & Graphs 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 , where c is the y-intercept

 The axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = 𝑝 Type 1: Vertex & one point

Type 2: x-intercepts & one point

The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑝)2 + 𝑞 is a translation of

K 71-80 : Quadratic Functions & Equations

Given quadratic function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 in

K 101-110 : Higher Degree Functions

In some cases, the quadratic function does not touch

A function that can be written as 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 4 + 𝑏𝑥 3 +

K 111-120 : Higher Degree Equations & Inequalities

To solve higher degree inequalities, sketch the

K 151-160 : Graphs of Irrational Functions

K 141-150 : Fractional Equations & Inequalities

We must always check each solution and reject any

To solve a fractional inequality,

Alternatively, substitute the solution into the

K 191-200 : Exponential Equations & Inequalities

When solving inequalities, we switch the inequality

The graph of an exponential function:

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