9th-11th Grade Math - Quadratic Functions | Inside Mathematics (2024)

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Functions: Linear, Quadratic, and Exponential Models

Overview

This lesson focuses on students making decisions about what tools to apply to solve different problems related to quadratic expressions and equations. It is also intended to build awareness of the form an answer will take in order to help students make sense of the kind of problem they are solving.

At the time of this lesson, students are nearing the end of a unit on quadratics in their Algebra classes. In that unit, they have developed tools for factoring expressions and solving quadratic equations using the zero product property and the Quadratic Formula, often guided by the question, “How can I make a quick sketch of this parabola?” Students have applied their new tools to find the x- and y-intercepts and vertex of parabolas in order to make those sketches. This lesson was intended to give students an opportunity to look at different kinds of problems side by side and determine the tools that would be most useful to solve those problems.

Prior to the lesson, students had demonstrated some uncertainty about which tool to apply to different problems, or in some cases how to identify the kind of answer they were seeking. Student focus had been on correctly applying a tool such as factoring completely or solving using the quadratic formula, rather than on looking at a problem and deciding how to begin. The activities in this lesson were intended to allow students to focus on this kind of decision-making.

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9th-11th Grade Math - Quadratic Functions | Inside Mathematics (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest way to solve quadratic functions? ›

Factoring is the first of the three methods of solving quadratic equations. It is often the fastest way to solve a quadratic equation, so usually should be attempted before any other method. This method relies on the fact that if two expressions multiply to zero, then at least one of them must be zero.

Does the quadratic formula give 2 answers? ›

As we have seen, there can be 0, 1, or 2 solutions to a quadratic equation, depending on whether the expression inside the square root sign, (b [ 2 ] - 4ac), is positive, negative, or zero. This expression has a special name: the discriminant.

How many answers do you expect to get for a quadratic equation? ›

Quadratic equation may have infinitely many solutions. But only two roots or zeros. Because we can put any random value of x(x belongs to R), we can get corresponding value of y. Generally, solutions of an equation are nothing but points which are on the curve which is corresponding to that equation.

How many answers does a quadratic function have? ›

The quadratic equation of the standard form ax2+bx+c has two solutions. The solutions or roots of quadratic equations can be positive/negative, same/distinct, and real or imaginary.

How to get good at a quadratic equation? ›

Identify the most appropriate method to solve a quadratic equation.
  1. Try Factoring first. If the quadratic factors easily, this method is very quick.
  2. Try the Square Root Property next. If the equation fits the form or it can easily be solved by using the Square Root Property.
  3. Use the Quadratic Formula.

What is the quadratic formula for dummies? ›

In other words, the quadratic formula is simply just ax^2+bx+c = 0 in terms of x. So the roots of ax^2+bx+c = 0 would just be the quadratic equation, which is: (-b+-√b^2-4ac) / 2a. Hope this helped!

Can a quadratic have one answer? ›

Answer: If a quadratic equation has exactly one real number solution, then the value of its discriminant is always zero. A quadratic equation in variable x is of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a ≠ 0.

How do you answer a quadratic function? ›

The general form of a quadratic function is given as: f(x) = ax2 + bx + c, where a, b, and c are real numbers with a ≠ 0. The roots of the quadratic function f(x) can be calculated using the formula of the quadratic function which is: x = [ -b ± √(b2 - 4ac) ] / 2a.

Are there two answers to a quadratic equation? ›

A quadratic equation with real or complex coefficients has two solutions, called roots. These two solutions may or may not be distinct, and they may or may not be real.

What grade do you solve quadratic equations? ›

9th-11th Grade Math - Quadratic Functions.

How to tell how many solutions a quadratic equation has without solving? ›

If b2 - 4ac is positive (>0) then we have 2 solutions. If b2 - 4ac is 0 then we have only one solution as the formula is reduced to x = [-b ± 0]/2a. So x = -b/2a, giving only one solution. Lastly, if b2 - 4ac is less than 0 we have no solutions.

Can you solve all quadratic equations? ›

Answer and Explanation:

The method that can be used to solve all quadratic equations is the quadratic formula. The quadratic formula states that if ax2 + bx + c = 0, then x = − b ± b 2 − 4 a c 2 a .

How to find zeros of a quadratic function? ›

The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola. The zeros of a parabola are the points on the parabola that intersect the line y = 0 (the horizontal x-axis). Since these points occur where y = 0, the zeros of a quadratic function occur where f(x) = 0, or at the x-values that make a x 2 + b x + c = 0 a true equation.

How many zeros are there in the quadratic formula? ›

Quadratic functions can have one, two, or zero zeros. Zeros are also called the roots of quadratic functions, and they refer to the points where the function intersects the X-axis. The standard form of a quadratic function is ax² + bx + c = 0.

What is the simple way to do the quadratic equation? ›

The quadratic formula helps us solve any quadratic equation. First, we bring the equation to the form ax²+bx+c=0, where a, b, and c are coefficients. Then, we plug these coefficients in the formula: (-b±√(b²-4ac))/(2a) .

What is the simplest form of a quadratic function? ›

The general form of a quadratic function is f(x)=ax2+bx+c where a, b, and c are real numbers and a≠0. The standard form of a quadratic function is f(x)=a(x−h)2+k. The vertex (h,k) is located at h=–b2a,k=f(h)=f(−b2a).

What is the shortcut to solve a quadratic equation? ›

One shortcut is to factor the equation. Then set each factor equal to zero. Example; x²+8x+12=0 becomes (x+2)(x+6)=0. Then we know that either x+2=0 or x+6=0.

How do you solve quadratic equations in simplest form? ›

Step 1: Using inverse operations, move all terms to one side of your equal sign. Step 2: Simplify your equation, and move terms around so that your equation is in the standard form of a quadratic function. Step 3: Now that your equation is in standard form, you can determine the values for a, b, and c.

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