Algebra II : Functions and Graphs

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Parabolic Functions

Find the location of the vertex for the parabola.  Is it a max or min?   

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The polynomial is written in the form of:  

This is the standard form for a parabola.

Write the vertex formula, and substitute the known values:

The vertex is at:  

Since the coefficient of  is negative, the curve will open downward, and will have a maximum.

The answer is:  

Example Question #411 : Functions And Graphs

A particular parabola has it's vertex at , and an x-intercept at the origin. Determine the equation of the parabola.

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

General parabola equation:

Vertex formula:

Where is the value at the vertex.

Combining equations:

Plugging in values for vertex:

Solving for :

Returning to:

combining equations:

Plugging in values of given intercept:

Solving for

Plugging in value:

Plugging in values for the vertex:

Final equation:

Example Question #411 : Functions And Graphs

Which of the following functions represents a parabola?

Possible Answers:

 

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A parabola is a curve that can be represented by a quadratic equation.  The only quadratic here is represented by the function , while the others represent straight lines, circles, and other curves.

Example Question #14 : Quadratic Functions

What is the point of the vertex of the parabola ?  Is it a maximum or minimum?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

It is not necessary to FOIL the binomial in order to solve for the vertex.  Switch the terms of the quantity , and this equation will be in vertex form:

Set the inner quantity equal to zero.

Subtract three on both sides.

Divide by negative two on both sides.

The location of the vertex is at .

To determine the point, substitute the value  back to the original equation.

The point of the vertex is at:   

Since this parabola opens upward, the point of the vertex will be a minimum.

The answer is:  

Example Question #932 : Algebra Ii

Where is the vertex located for the given function?  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Write the vertex formula.

The given equation is already in standard polynomial form.

Substitute the known values into the formula.

Substitute this value back into the original equation to determine the y value.

Simplify this expression.

The vertex is located at:  

Example Question #11 : Parabolic Functions

Which of these functions represent a parabola? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A parabola is a curve that is represented by a quadratic function. In this case, the only answer that qualifies is .  The other answers represent straight lines, and other types of curves. 

Example Question #12 : Quadratic Functions

Where is the vertex located for   ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Rewrite the equation in standard polynomial form.

Write the vertex formula and substitute the known coefficients.

The x-value of the vertex is .

Substitute this value back to the original equation.

The vertex is located at:  

Example Question #13 : Quadratic Functions

Determine the vertex given the function:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The parabola is provided in the form of .

Notice that the variable  in this equation is zero.

This means that:  

Substitute this value back into the original equation  to determine the y-value.

The vertex is located at:  

Example Question #3 : Graphing Quadratic Functions

All of the following are equations of down-facing parabolas EXCEPT:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A parabola that opens downward has the general formula

,

as the negative sign in front of the  term makes flips the parabola about the horizontal axis.  

By contrast, a parabola of the form rotates about the vertical axis, not the horizontal axis. 

Therefore, is not the equation for a parabola that opens downward.

Example Question #4 : Graphing Quadratic Functions

Consider the equation:

The vertex of this parabolic function would be located at:

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For any parabola, the general equation is

, and the x-coordinate of its vertex is given by

.

For the given problem, the x-coordinate is

.

To find the y-coordinate, plug  into the original equation:

Therefore the vertex is at .

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors