Please note that the resources open in a new window/tab in your browser. To return to this lesson, close the additional resource window/tab.
This applet is a free online graphing calculator.
Graphing Calculator Tutorials
The following are tutorials for using a graphing calculator.
The following are websites relating to quadratic functions. Some provide practice, others information.
Writing a Quadratic Function Rule From a Table
This video demonstrates how to write a quadratic function rule from a table.
This algebra lesson gives an introduction to graphing parabolas and shows how to graph a basic parabola.
Connecting Graphing and Solving Quadratics
This algebra lesson explains the connection between solving and graphing quadratics - finding the x and y intercepts on the graph.
This video demonstrates how to graph parabolas.
Applets Using Geogebra
Note: In order to use these applets, you may need to download the free program from www.geogebra.org
This applet shows how changing the variables in a function affects the graph of that function.
Analyzing Graphs of Quadratic Functions
This applet shows how changing the variables of two functions (one in intercept form and one in vertex form.) affects the graphs of those fucntions.
This applet shows how changing the variables in a function affects the graph of that function.
For further glossary help, go to: http://www.mathwords.com/a_to_z.htm or to http://www.mathdictionary.com/konfuciy.asp
axis of symmetry: for a quadratic function, a vertical line that includes the vertex of a quadratic function. The two sides of the graph look like mirror images of each other.
critical attributes (points): characteristics or points on graph of a quadratic function that distinguish it from others; ie, vertex, x-intercepts, y-intercepts, axis of symmetry, symmetric point.
dependent: the variable (y) whose value is determined by the value of the independent variable (x).
domain: the set of values of the independent variable(s) for which a function is defined. Usually, this is the set of all x-values.
function: a relation for which each element of the domain corresponds to exactly one element of the range.
independent: a variable in an equation that may have its value freely chosen without considering values of any other variable.
quadratic: an equation, a graph, or data that can be modeled by a 2nd degree polynomial.range: the set of values of the dependent variable(s) for which a function is defined. Usually, this is the set of all y-values.
roots of an equation: a solution to an equation of the form f(x) = 0. Roots may be real or complex. Sometimes in casual usage, the words roots and zeros are used interchangeably.
solution: any and all values ofx that satisfy an equation.
vertex: for a quadratic function, the lowest (miminum) or the highest (maximum) point on the graph.
x-intercept: a point at which a graph intersects the x-axis. The x-intercepts must be real numbers, unlike roots and zeros.
y-intercept: a point at which a graph intersects the y-axis.
zero of a function: a value of x which makes a function f(x) equal to 0. A zero may be real or complex.