Quadratic Function Practice Problems and Solutions

Master quadratic functions with step-by-step practice problems. Learn standard form, vertex form, factored form, and solving techniques with detailed solutions.

📚Master Quadratic Functions Through Practice
  • Identify quadratic functions in standard form f(x) = ax² + bx + c
  • Convert between standard, vertex, and factored forms of quadratic functions
  • Find zeros and roots using factoring and quadratic formula methods
  • Graph parabolas and determine vertex, axis of symmetry, and transformations
  • Solve quadratic inequalities and interpret solution sets graphically
  • Apply quadratic functions to real-world word problems and systems

Understanding The Quadratic Function

Complete explanation with examples

f(x)=ax2+bx+c f\left(x\right)=ax^2+bx+c

Where a0 a\ne0 , since if the coefficient a a does not appear then it would not be a quadratic function.

The graph of a quadratic function will always be a parabola.

Example 1:

f(x)=8x22x+4 f\left(x\right)=8x^2-2x+4

It is a quadratic or second-degree function because its largest exponent is 2 2 .

Example 2:

f(x)=7x3+6x2+2x1 f\left(x\right)=-7x^3+6x^2+2x-1

This is not a second-degree function because, although it has an exponent 2 2 , its largest exponent is 3 3 .

Quadratic function

The equation of the basic quadratic function is: y=ax2+bx+cy=ax^2+bx+c

This way of writing them is called the general form of a second-degree function, where:

ax2 ax^2 is called the squared term, quadratic term, or second-degree term.

a a is the coefficient of the quadratic term.

bx bx is called the linear term or first-degree term.

b b is the coefficient of the linear term.

c c is the constant term.

x x is called the unknown of the function and represents the number or numbers that make the function or in this case the equation true.

Example:

f(x)=3x25x+2 f\left(x\right)=3x^2-5x+2

a=3 a=3 , b=5 b=-5 and c=2 c=2

We must remember that for an equation to be of second degree, a a must always be different from zero.


Detailed explanation

Practice The Quadratic Function

Test your knowledge with 17 quizzes

Identify the coefficients based on the following equation

\( y=-4x^2+3 \)

Examples with solutions for The Quadratic Function

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

y=x2+10x y=x^2+10x

Step-by-Step Solution

Here we have a quadratic equation.

A quadratic equation is always constructed like this:

 

y=ax2+bx+c y = ax²+bx+c

 

Where a, b, and c are generally already known to us, and the X and Y points need to be discovered.

Firstly, it seems that in this formula we do not have the C,

Therefore, we understand it is equal to 0.

c=0 c = 0

 

a is the coefficient of X², here it does not have a coefficient, therefore

a=1 a = 1

 

b=10 b= 10

is the number that comes before the X that is not squared.

 

Answer:

a=1,b=10,c=0 a=1,b=10,c=0

Video Solution
Exercise #2

y=2x25x+6 y=2x^2-5x+6

Step-by-Step Solution

In fact, a quadratic equation is composed as follows:

y = ax²-bx-c

 

That is,

a is the coefficient of x², in this case 2.
b is the coefficient of x, in this case 5.
And c is the number without a variable at the end, in this case 6.

Answer:

a=2,b=5,c=6 a=2,b=-5,c=6

Video Solution
Exercise #3

Identify the coefficients based on the following equation

y=2x2+3x+10 y=-2x^2+3x+10

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's determine the coefficients for the quadratic function given by y=2x2+3x+10 y = -2x^2 + 3x + 10 .

  • Step 1: Identify a a .
    The coefficient of x2 x^2 is 2-2. Thus, a=2 a = -2 .
  • Step 2: Identify b b .
    The coefficient of x x is 33. Thus, b=3 b = 3 .
  • Step 3: Identify c c .
    The constant term is 1010. Thus, c=10 c = 10 .

Comparing these coefficients to the provided choices, the correct answer is:

a=2,b=3,c=10 a = -2, b = 3, c = 10 .

Therefore, the correct choice is Choice 4.

Answer:

a=2,b=3,c=10 a=-2,b=3,c=10

Video Solution
Exercise #4

Identify the coefficients based on the following equation

y=5x24x30 y=5x^2-4x-30

Step-by-Step Solution

The given quadratic function is y=5x24x30 y = 5x^2 - 4x - 30 .
To identify the coefficients, let's compare this with the standard form of a quadratic equation, y=ax2+bx+c y = ax^2 + bx + c .

  • Step 1: Compare the terms of the given equation to the standard form.
  • Step 2: Identify each coefficient:
    For ax2 ax^2 , a=5 a = 5 in the term 5x2 5x^2 .
    For bx bx , b=4 b = -4 in the term 4x-4x.
    For the constant term c c , c=30 c = -30 .

Thus, we have identified the coefficients as a=5 a = 5 , b=4 b = -4 , and c=30 c = -30 .

Therefore, the correct answer is a=5,b=4,c=30 a = 5, b = -4, c = -30 .

The correct choice is .

Answer:

a=5,b=4,c=30 a=5,b=-4,c=-30

Video Solution
Exercise #5

Determine the value of the coefficient a a in the following equation:

x2+7x9 -x^2+7x-9

Step-by-Step Solution

The quadratic equation in the problem is already arranged (meaning all terms are on one side and 0 on the other side), so let's proceed to answer the question asked:

The question asked in the problem - What is the value of the coefficienta a in the equation?

Let's recall the definitions of coefficients in solving quadratic equations and the roots formula:

The rule states that the roots of an equation of the form:

ax2+bx+c=0 ax^2+bx+c=0 are:

x1,2=b±b24ac2a x_{1,2}=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}

That is the coefficient a a is the coefficient of the quadratic term (meaning the term with the second power)- x2 x^2 Let's examine the equation in the problem:

x2+7x9=0 -x^2+7x-9 =0

Remember that the minus sign before the quadratic term means multiplication by: 1 -1 , therefore- we can write the equation as:

1x2+7x9=0 -1\cdot x^2+7x-9 =0

The number that multiplies the x2 x^2 , is 1 -1 hence we identify that the coefficient of the quadratic term is the number 1 -1 ,

Therefore the correct answer is A.

Answer:

-1

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard form of a quadratic function?

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The standard form of a quadratic function is f(x) = ax² + bx + c, where a ≠ 0. The term ax² is the quadratic term, bx is the linear term, and c is the constant term.

How do you find the vertex of a quadratic function?

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You can find the vertex using the vertex form f(x) = a(x - h)² + k, where (h, k) is the vertex. Alternatively, use h = -b/(2a) to find the x-coordinate, then substitute to find the y-coordinate.

What's the difference between complete and incomplete quadratic functions?

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A complete quadratic function has all three terms: ax², bx, and c. An incomplete quadratic function is missing either the linear term (b = 0), constant term (c = 0), or both, but must always have the quadratic term ax².

How do you solve quadratic equations using the quadratic formula?

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Use the quadratic formula: x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac))/(2a). First identify coefficients a, b, and c from ax² + bx + c = 0, then substitute into the formula to find the roots.

What does the discriminant tell you about quadratic solutions?

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The discriminant (b² - 4ac) determines the number of solutions: • If positive: two real solutions • If zero: one real solution • If negative: no real solutions (two complex solutions)

How do parabola transformations work in quadratic functions?

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Transformations follow these patterns: y = x² + k (vertical shift k units), y = (x - h)² (horizontal shift h units), and y = (x - h)² + k (combined horizontal and vertical shifts).

When should you use factoring vs quadratic formula?

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Use factoring when the quadratic easily factors into perfect squares or simple binomials. Use the quadratic formula for complex expressions, decimal coefficients, or when factoring isn't obvious.

How do you solve systems of quadratic equations?

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For two quadratic equations, use substitution or elimination methods. Graphically, solutions are intersection points of two parabolas. Systems can have 0, 1, or 2 solutions depending on how the parabolas intersect.

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