Section IN Quadratic Functions

Quadratic Functions 

Introduction: Of all the functions that are studied, after linear functions. the simplest and most common class of functions is the class of quadratic functions. These functions are characterized by the operations: squaring a number. multiplication by a constant and addition of a constant.

For  example, the function defined by assigning the value $f(x) =x^2 - 2x - 3$ to the number $x$, also represented symbolically as $f: x \rightarrow x^2 - 2x - 3$  ,  or verbally  by saying "to find $f(x)$, square $x$, subtract $2$ times $x$ and finally subtract  $3$", is described as a quadratic function. This  function is visualized  by the  mapping diagram, QF1.

Mapping Diagram for f(x) =
                2x+3
Mapping Diagram QF1

This section will provide examples, explanations, exercises and problems that will help students use the power of the mapping diagram  along with the three other tools (equations, tables , and graphs) to understand quadratic functions.

Quadratic Function Definition


QF.QFIQuadratic Functions are Important.
Example QF.0 The First Quadratic Function Example.
This example presents the quadratic function $f(x) = x^2 - 2x - 3$ with a table of data,  a graph and a mapping diagram. The "quadratic coefficient" is $1$,  the "linear coefficient"i s $-2$, and the "constant " is $-3$.

Treatment of quadratic functions and their graphical interpretation with parabolas and equations are familiar. [See wikipedia.org/wiki : Quadratic_function]
They appear in every textbook that deals at all with intermediate algebra and coordinate geometry- from algebra II to beginning calculus. What is missing is a balanced treatment using mapping diagrams to reinforce the function aspect of visualization.  That will be emphasis of this section. 

Comparisons will be made when appropriate to graphs- but we will develop the basic concepts for quadratic functions with mapping diagrams. The end of this section includes some powerful and different ways to think about quadratic functions and the ways they are represented algebraically.

Subsection QF.FORM Forms of a Quadratic Function 

Subsection QF.MA  Magnification and Addition to $x^2$

Subsection QF.ID Increasing/Decreasing for Quadratic Functions

Subsection QF.COMP Composition and Quadratic Functions

Subsection QF.INV "Inverse" of a Quadratic Function

Subsection QF.QEq Solving Quadratic Equations with Quadratic Functions

Subsection QF.QInEq Solving Quadratic Inequalities with Quadratic Functions

Subsection QF.APP Quadratic Function Applications