Now that you have had practice with both linear and quadratic parent functions, see if you can identify the following parent functions.

Example 1:

Is this graph a linear parent function, a quadratic parent function or neither?

y = √x

Check Your Answer

This graph is a square root parent function. It is neither linear or quadratic. Using the online graphing utility, you will need to type in sqrt (x).

Example 2:

Is this graph a linear parent function, a quadratic parent function or neither?

y  = x

Check Your Answer

This graph is a linear parent function as shown here.

Example 3:

Is this graph a linear parent function, a quadratic parent function or neither?

y =   |x|

Check Your Answer

This graph is an absolute value parent function. It is neither linear nor quadratic. The || symbol means absolute value. On the graphing calculator you will need to press “MATH” and “>” to get the abs( on the graphing calculator.)

 

Example 4:

Is this graph a linear parent function, a quadratic parent function or neither?

        y =   x²

Check Your Answer

This graph is the quadratic parent function as shown here.