quadratic function
a nonlinear function that can be written in the standard form y=ax^2+bx+c where a =not 0.
parabola
u-shaped graph
parent quadratic function
y=x^2
vertex
lowest or highest point on a parabola
axis of symmetry
the line that passes through the vertex parabola into two symmetric parts.
minimum value
the y-coordinate of the vertex is the ______ of the function if a>0
maximum value
the y coordinate of the vertex is the _____ of the function if a<0
quadratic equation
an equation that can be written in the standard form ax^2+bx+c=0 where a no=0
completing the square
the process of rewriting a quadratic expression so that it is a perfect square trinomial.
quadratic formula
a formula that can be used to find the solutions to a quadratic equation
x = [ -b ± sqrt(b^2 - 4ac) ] / 2a
discriminant
the expression b^2-4ac of the associated equation ax^2+bx+c=0; also the expression under the radical sign in the quadratic formula.
