In this section you will be translating a graph into a verbal description.
![](https://www.ontrack-media.net/algebra2/a2m4l3image19.jpg)
A verbal description of a quadratic function using its graph mentions the following:
- the location of any zeros, roots, or x-intercepts
![graph of a parabola that opens down with arrows pointing to the x-intercepts at (-1,0) and (3,0)](https://www.ontrack-media.net/algebra2/a2m4l3image20.jpg)
- the type of zeros, roots, or x-intercepts
Possible roots include: real, rational, irrational or imaginary numbers. Remember you must actually know the numerical value to be able to decide whether that number is rational or irrational.
Study the graphs below to determine from a graph whether a parabola has real or imaginary roots.
![graph of 3 parabolas one that has a vertex above the x-axis (2 imaginary roots), one that just touches the x-axis (one real double root), and one that intersects the x-axis in 2 places (2 real roots)](https://www.ontrack-media.net/algebra2/a2m4l3image21.jpg)
- the location of the y-intercept
- the location of the vertex
- whether the parabola has a minimum or maximum
![graph of 2 parabolas with one opening up (vertex is a minimum point) and one opening down (vertex is a maximum point](https://www.ontrack-media.net/algebra2/a2m4l3image23.jpg)
- the location of the axis of symmetry
![graph of a parabola opening up with the axis of symmetry of x= 3 and vertex of(3,-4)](https://www.ontrack-media.net/algebra2/a2m4l3image24.jpg)
- where the parabola is increasing or decreasing
![graph with 2 parabolas- one opening down that show it increasing to the vertex of (-5,1)then decreasing and the second one opening up that shows it decreasing to the vertex of (4,2) and then increasing](https://www.ontrack-media.net/algebra2/a2m4l3image25.jpg)
To review:
When writing a verbal description for a quadratic function using its graph, identify its critical attributes and behavior which include:
- the location of any zeros, roots, or x-intercepts,
- the type of zeros, roots, or x-intercepts,
- the location of the y-intercept,
- the location of the vertex,
- whether the parabola has a minimum or maximum
- the location of the axis of symmetry
- whether the parabola opens up or down
- where the parabola is increasing or decreasing