MAT2792-ABED_1: The Quadratic Function and its Models

E. The Quadratic Function and its Models

Let's review the three forms of the quadratic function we've investigated in this lesson.

Form	Equation format	Advantages when graphing
Standard form	or	The y-intercept is easily identified. In addition, this form is very useful when using the quadratic formula, which will be introduced in Lesson 2.3.
Factored form	Any form where the quadratic function is expressed as a product of factors, each with a degree of one or zero.	The x-intercepts are easily identified.
Vertex form	or	The vertex, axis of symmetry, and the minimum/maximum value are easily identified.

Form

Equation format

Advantages when graphing

Standard form

The y-intercept is easily identified. In addition, this form is very useful when using the quadratic formula, which will be introduced in Lesson 2.3.

Factored form

Any form where the quadratic function is expressed as a product of factors, each with a degree of one or zero.

The x-intercepts are easily identified.

Vertex form

The vertex, axis of symmetry, and the minimum/maximum value are easily identified.

Let's now look at some examples of how these forms can be used.