Algebra 2, Part 1

Unit 5 – Quadratic Equations

Use this study guide to help you prepare for the quizzes, unit test, and assignment. The study guide contains guided
notes and practice activities to help focus your learning throughout the unit. The Study Guide is NOT graded; all
exercises are for you to practice and apply what you have learned in each lesson. For specific questions about any of
the content, please use the Ask the Teacher page in the course.

Unit Objectives
You will learn to recognize quadratic equations and to be able to understand and analyze the basic anatomy of a
quadratic function, including x and y vertices, axis of symmetry, the vertex, and the direction and relative steepness
of the curve of the quadratic. You will learn to understand that the solution to quadratic equations represent the x
intercepts and to be able to understand that there can be either one, two, or zero solutions for any given quadratic,
which can be shown graphically as well as solved for algebraically. You will learn how to solve quadratic equations
using the factoring method, completing the square, and the quadratic formula and will begin to identify which
methods work better for which equations; as well as understand that all three methods should yield the same
results. You will learn to understand the concept of complex roots “i” and that in the case of a negative square root, i
is used to represent the imaginary solution, plus how to perform basic operations involved i.

Lesson 5.1 Quadratic Equations and functions: ax2+bx+c

Lesson Objective: To recognize quadratic equations and to be able to understand and analyze the basic anatomy
of a quadratic function, including x and y vertices, axis of symmetry, the vertex, and the direction and relative
steepness of the curve of the quadratic.

Important Definitions: Pay attention to these specific terms and write down their definitions and an example of
each one as you are watching the videos and looking at the readings.
Quadratic:

Parabola:

Vertex:

X-intercept:

Axis of Symmettry:
Example Problems:
Grapy y=x2 by using a table of values. Identify the vertex and the line of symmetry.

Choose some x values and substitute them into the equation to figure out the y value. Use the points to graph
the parabola. The vertex will be at the minimum point if the parabola is up. The vertex will be at the maximum
point if the parabola is down. The line of symmetry will be a vertical line down through the vertex.

Graph: y= x2-3x+2 The equation matches the form y= ax2+bx+c where a= 1, b= -3, and c=2. The graph crosses
the x axis at the points (1, 0) and (2,0). These points are the x-intercepts. The vertex will be halfway between
1+2 3
the x intercepts. The x value of the vertex is x= 2 = 2 = 1. 5 Substitute x=1.5 into the equation to obtain
y=(1.5)2-3(1.5)+2= -0.25. The vertex is (1.5, -0.25)

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Practice Problems: Now it is your turn. Follow the steps shown in the example problems.
Graph the following quadratics. Find the x-intercepts and the vertex of each quadratic.

y=x2+x-2 y=x2+6x-7

y=-x2-6x+7 y=2x2+3x+1

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Lesson 5.2 Solutions to Quadratic Functions; Factoring
Lesson Objective: How to solve quadratic equations using the factoring method.

Important Definitions: Pay attention to these specific terms and write down their definitions and an example of
each one as you are watching the videos and looking at the readings.

Factors:

Solutions:

Example Problems: Solve the problem problems by factoring.

Already equal to zero Not equal to zero GCF Not factorable

x2+7x+6=0 x2-2x=-1 2x2-50=0 x2+25=0

x2-2x+1=0

Factors Factors Factors This is a sum of squares

(x+6)(x+1)=0 (x-1)(x-1)=0 2(x2-25)=0 situation. This is not
x+6=0 and x+1=0 x-1=0 and x-1=0 2(x-5)(x+5)=0 factorable. There are no
x=-6 and x=-1 x=1 and x=1 2=0 and x-5=0 and x+5=0 real solutions to this
2=0 is not a solution problem.
x-5=0 is x=5
x+5=0 is x=-5

Practice Problems: Solve the problem problems by factoring.

x2-5x-6=0 x2 = 10x-21 x2-9=0 x2+49=0

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Lesson 5.3 Completing the Square
Lesson Objective: How to solve quadratic equations using completing the square.

Important Definitions: Pay attention to these specific terms and write down their definitions and an example of
each one as you are watching the videos and looking at the readings.

Completing the Square:

𝑏 2
Important Formulas: c = ( )
2

Example Problems: Solve the following problems by completing the square.

x2-4x-8=0 2x2-3x-2=0

x2-4x=8, c=(-4/2)2=4, a=1, b= -4 2x2-3x=2

−3
x2-4x+4=8+4 2 −3 2 9
2(x2-3/2x) = 2 , c= ( )2= ( ) = 16 , a = 1, b = -3/2
(x-2)(x-2) = 12 2 4
9 9
(x-2)2= 12 2(x2-3/2x+ 16
) = 2 +2( 16
)
x-2 = ± 12 2(x -
3 2 9
) =2+ 8
4

x= ± 12 +2
3 2 16 9
x ~ 5.464 and x ~ -1.464 2(x - 4
)= 8 +8

3 2 25
2(x - 4
)= 8

3 2 25
(x - 4
) = 16

3 25
x- 4
=± 16

25 3
x= ± 16
+ 4

5 3
x= ± 4
+ 4

x=8/4 =2 and x= -2/4 = -1/2

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Practice Problems: Solve the following problems by completing the square.
y=x2+2x-8 y=x2+4x+3 y=2x2-1x-6 y=3x2-2x-8

Lesson 5.4 The Quadratic Formula

Lesson Objective: How to solve quadratic equations using the quadratic formula.

Important Definitions: Pay attention to these specific terms and write down their definitions and an example of each
one as you are watching the videos and looking at the readings.
Quadratic Equation:

ax2+bx+c=0 :

Important Formulas:
2
−𝑏± 𝑏 −4𝑎𝑐
Quadratic Formula 𝑥 = 2𝑎

Example Problems: Solve the following problems using the quadratic formula

2 2 2
𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0 𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐 > 0 𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0
(-10)2-4(1)(25) 22-4(2)(-1) (-2)2-4(1)(2)
100-100 4+8 4-8
2 2 2
𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐= 0 𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐= 12 𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐= -4

y=x2-10x+25, a=1, b=-10, c=25 y=2x2+2x-1, a=2, b=2, c=-1 y=x2-2x+2, a=1, b=-2, c=2
−(−10)± 0 10 −(−2)± −4 2± 2𝑖
𝑥= 2(1)
= 2
=5 𝑥= 2(1)
= 2
−2± 12 −2± 12 −2±2 3
1 real solution 𝑥 = 2(2) = 4
= 4
= 2 imaginary solutions
−1±1 3
2
2 real solutions

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Practice Problems: Solve the following problems using the quadratic formula.
y=-1x2-3x+4 y=2x2+3x-9

y=x2+12x+36 y=x2-3x+5

Lesson 5.5 Complex Roots: i

Lesson Objective: To understand the concept of complex roots “i” will be introduced and that in the case of a
negative square root, i is used to represent the imaginary solution.

Important Definitions: Pay attention to these specific terms and write down their definitions and an example of
each one as you are watching the videos and looking at the readings.
i:

Imaginary number:

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Important Formulas:

𝑖 = −1

i2=-1

Example Problems:

Find the solution of …… Find the solution of…. Write the quadratic equation that
If b=0 then take the square root If the form is y= ax2+bx+c…. has solutions of x= 2+i and x=2-i
Use the Quadratic Formula

y=x2+4 y=[x-(2+i)] [x-(2-i)]

To solve, set y=0 y=2x2+2x+4 y=[x-2-i] [x-2+i] Distribute
0=x2+4 y=x2-2x+ix-2x+4-2i-ix+2i-i2
-4=x2 a=2 b=2 c=4 Combine like terms
± − 4= 𝑥 y= x2-4x+4-i2
2
x=± 2𝑖 𝑥=
−𝑏± 𝑏 −4𝑎𝑐 y= x2-4x+4-(-1)=x2-4x+4+1
2𝑎
y=x2-4x+5
2
−2± 2 −4(2)(4) −2± 4−32
𝑥= 2(2)
= 4
−2± −28 −2±2 7𝑖
x= 4
= 4
=
−1±1 7𝑖 −1± 7𝑖 −1 7𝑖
2
= 2 = 2 ± 2

Practice Problems: Now it is your turn. Follow the steps shown in the example problems.
Find the Solution of Find the solution of
2
y=x +25 y=3x2+1x+6

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Write the quadratic eqation that has solutions of Write the quadratic eqation that has solutions of
x=-2i and x= +2i x=3-2i and x= 3+2i

Lesson 5.6 Graphing Basic Parabolas(Positive & Negative)

Lesson Objective: To recognize quadratic equations and to be able to understand and analyze the basic anatomy
of a quadratic function, including x and y vertices, axis of symmetry, the vertex, and the direction and relative
steepness of the curve of the quadratic.
Important Definitions: Pay attention to these specific terms and write down their definitions and an example of
each one as you are watching the videos and looking at the readings.

Leading coeficient:

2
Important Formulas: 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

Vertex (
−𝑏
2𝑎 ( ))
,𝑓
−𝑏
2𝑎
−𝑏
Line of symmetry is x= 2𝑎
If a>0, the parabola opens upward
If a<0, the parabola opens downward

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Example Problems: Graph the following equations. Identify if the graph opens up or down, the vertex, and the
line of symmetry.

y=2x2+3x-2 y=-3x2+2x-1

a=2, the graph opens up. a=-3, the graph opens down
a=2, b=3, c=-2 a=-3, b=2, c=-1
−3 −2 −2 1
x= 2(2) = -¾=-0.75 x= 2(−3) = −6 = 3
To find the y value of the vertex x=-0.75 and solve for To find the y value of the vertex x=1/3 and solve for
y. y.
y=2(-0.75)2+3(-0.75)-2= -3.125 y=-3(1/3)2+2(⅓)-1
The vertex is (-0.75,-3.125) y=-(⅔)
The line of symmetry is x=-0.75 The vertex is (⅓,-⅔)
The line of symmetry is x=⅓

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Practice Problems: Now it is your turn. Follow the steps shown in the example problems.
Graph the following equations. Identify if the graph opens up or down, the vertex, and the line of symmetry.
y=x2+4 y=x2+2x+3

y=-2x2+3x-5 y=-x2+6

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Lesson 5.7 Graphing a Quadratic
Lesson Objective: To recognize quadratic equations and to be able to understand and analyze the basic anatomy
of a quadratic function, including x and y vertices, axis of symmetry, the vertex, and the direction and relative
steepness of the curve of the quadratic.

Example Problems:

Graph the quadratic by using a table.

y=x2-2x-8

Graph a quadratic in general form.

y=x2-2x-4
a=1 b=-2 c=-4
a=1, so the graph opens up
x value of vertex = -(-2)/2(1)=1
y value of vertex is
(1)2-2(1)-4=-5
The vertex is (1,-5)

Find a few other points by using a table.

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Graph a quadratic in vertex form
y=a(x-h)2+k, vertex is (h,k)

y=2(x-2)2-3
a=2, so the parabola opens up
The vertex is (2,-3)
Find a few other points by using a table.

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Practice Problems: Now it is your turn. Follow the steps shown in the example problems.
Graph by using a table. Graph by figuring out the vertex.
y=x2-2x+1 y=-x2+2x-1

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Graph when the equation is in vertex form. Graph using any method.
y=-2(x-3)2+2 y=x2-2

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