Quadratics In Vertex Form Worksheet (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

Quadratics In Vertex Form Worksheet Page 2

Activity A:

Get the Gizmo ready:

 Set a to 1.0, h to 0.0, and k to 0.0.

The vertex

1. The vertex of a parabola is either the maximum or minimum point. Vary the value of a.

A. How does the sign of a determine if the vertex is a maximum or a minimum point?

B. How does the value of a affect the width and steepness of the parabola?

2. Turn on Show vertex and intercept(s). Set the value of a to 1.0. Vary the values of h and

k. Watch the coordinates of the vertex as you do.

How do the values of h and k relate to the coordinates of the vertex?

3. Turn off Show vertex and intercept(s), and turn on Show axis of symmetry. The axis of

symmetry is a line that divides a parabola into two halves that are mirror images.

A. Graph y = x

. Vary the value of h. What do you notice about the number in the

equation of the axis of symmetry and the value of h?

B. What is the general equation of the axis of symmetry for the graph of a quadratic

function given in vertex form? x =

C. Vary the value of k for a variety of functions. As k is varied, what do you notice about

the location of the vertex?

D. The equation of the axis of symmetry of the graph of a quadratic function in



polynomial form, y = ax

+ bx + c, is x =

Is it easier to find the equation of the axis of symmetry for a quadratic function in

polynomial or vertex form?

Quadratics In Vertex Form Worksheet Page 2