Quadratic Functions Vertex Form – Notes & Homework

Identify the vertex and line of symmetry of a quadratic function written in vertex form.

Determine whether a quadratic function has a maximum or minimum value from its vertex form.

Compare the standard-form and vertex-form expressions shown for one quadratic function.

Work through the guided notes as a class before assigning the homework, since the homework repeats the same four question types (vertex, line of symmetry, max/min, and graph prediction) with new functions.

Have students complete the a-value table on the first guided-notes page before graphing, so they connect the sign and size of a to the parabola's direction and width ahead of sketching.

Model using symmetry to build a value table before students work through the four function-prediction tasks in the assignment.

Vertex identification — students read the vertex (h, k) directly from functions written in vertex form such as f(x) = 2(x - 4)^2 + 6.

Line-of-symmetry and extrema reasoning — students state the line of symmetry x = h and classify each vertex as a maximum or minimum.

Graphing from vertex form — students sketch parabolas by first predicting shape and direction, then building a table of values around the line of symmetry.