In Mathematics, the vertex formula helps to find the vertex coordinate of a parabola, when the graph crosses its axes of symmetry. Generally, the vertex point is represented by (h, k). We know that the standard equation of a parabola is y=ax2+bx+c. Here, if the coefficient of x2 is positive, the vertex should be at the bottom of the U-shaped curve. If the coefficient of x2 is negative, then the vertex should be at the top of the U-shaped curve. In this article, we are going to learn the standard form and vertex form of a parabola, vertex formula, and examples in detail.
The two vertex formulas to find the vertex is:
Formula 1: (h, k) = (-b/2a, -D/4a)
where,
- D is the denominator
- h,k are the coordinates of the vertex
Formula 2: x-coordinate of the vertex = -b / 2a
Vertex Form of Parabola
We know that the standard form of the parabola is y=ax2+bx+c.
Thus, the vertex form of a parabola is y = a(x-h)2 + k.
Now, let us discuss the vertex formula in detail.
Vertex Formula
The vertex formula is used to find the vertex of a parabola. There are two ways to find the vertex of a parabola.
Vertex, (h, k) = (-b/2a, -D/4a)
Where “D” is the discriminant where D = b2 – 4ac.
“h” and “k” are the coordinates of the vertex.
The above formula can also be written as follows:
The other method to find the vertex of a parabola is as follows:
We know that the x-coordinate of a vertex, (i.e) h is -b/2a.
Now, substitute the x-coordinate value in the given standard form of the parabola equation y=ax2+bx+c, we will get the y-coordinate of a vertex.
Solved Examples Using Vertex Formula
Example 1:
Find the vertex of a parabola, y=3x2+12x-12.
Solution:
Given parabola equation: y=3x2+12x-12.
The given parabola equation is of the standard form y=ax2+bx+c.
By comparing the given equation and standard form, we get
a = 3. b= 12, c = -12.
We know that the vertex formula is (-b/2a, -D/4a)
We know that D = b2 – 4ac.
Therefore, D = (12)2-4(3)(-12)
D = 144+144
D = 288.
Now, substitute all the known values in the formula, we get
Vertex, (h, k) = ( (-12/2(3)), (-288/4(3))
(h, k) = (-12/6, -288/12)
(h. k) = (-2, -24)
The vertex (h, k) of the parabola y=3x2+12x-12 is (-2, -24).
Example 2:
Find the vertex of the parabola y=3x2-6x+1.
Solution:
Given parabola equation: y = 3x2-6x+1.
The standard form of a parabola is y=ax2+bx+c.
By comparing standard form and given parabola equations, we get a = 3, b=-6, c = 1.
We know that the formula to calculate the x-coordinate of a vertex is -b/2a.
Hence, h = -(-6)/2(3)
h = 6/6 = 1
Therefore, the x-coordinate of a vertex is 1.
Now, we need to find the y-coordinate of a vertex. (i.e.) k.
To get the value of the y-coordinate, substitute x =1 in the given equation y = 3x2-6x+1.
Hence, y-coordinate (k) = 3(1)2-6(1)+1
y-coordinate (k) = 3-6+1 = -2.
Hence, the coordinate of the vertex of a parabola (h, k) is (1, -2).
Frequently Asked Questions on Vertex Formula
What is the standard form of a parabola?
The standard form of a parabola is y=ax2+bx+c.
What is the vertex form of a parabola?
The vertex form of a parabola is y = a(x-h)2 + k.
What is the vertex formula?
The vertex formula is used to find the vertex of a parabola. The formula to find the vertex is (h, k) = (-b/2a, -D/4a), where D = b2-4ac.
What is Vertex Formula?
The vertex formula helps to find the vertex coordinates of a parabola. The standard form of a parabola is y = ax2 + bx + c. The vertex form of the parabola y = a(x – h)2 + k. There are two ways in which we can determine the vertex(h, k). They are:
- (h, k) = (-b/2a, -D/4a), where D(discriminant) = b2 – 4ac
- (h,k), where h = -b / 2a and evaluate y at h to find k.
Derivation of Vertex Formulas
Formula 1
We know that the standard form of a parabola is, y = ax2 + bx + c. Let us convert it to the vertex form y = a(x – h)2 + k by completing the squares.
Subtracting c from both sides:
y – c = ax2 + bx
Taking “a” as the common factor:
y – c = a (x2 + b/a x)
Here, half the coefficient of x is b/2a and its square is b2/4a2. Adding and subtracting this on the right side (inside the parentheses):
y – c = a (x2 + b/a x + b2/4a2 – b2/4a2)
We can write x2 + b/a x + b2/4a2 as (x + b/2a)2. Thus, the above equation becomes:
y – c = a ( (x + b/2a)2 – b2/4a2)
Distributing “a” on the right side and adding “c” on both sides:
y = a (x + b/2a)2 – b2/4a + c
y = a (x + b/2a)2 – (b2 – 4ac) / (4a)
Comparing this with y = a (x – h)2 + k, we get:
h = -b/2a
k = -(b2 – 4ac) / (4a)
We know that b2 – 4ac is the discriminant (D).
Thus, the vertex formula is: (h, k) = (-b/2a, -D/4a) where D = b2 – 4ac
Formula 2
If you feel difficult to memorize the above formula, you can just remember the formula for the x-coordinate of vertex and then just substitute it in the given equation y = ax2 + bx + c to get the y-coordinate of the vertex.
x-coordinate of the vertex(h) = -b / 2a
Alternatively, if you do not want to use any of the above formulas to find the vertex, then you can just complete the square to convert y = ax2 + bx + c of the form y = a(x – h)2 + k manually and find the vertex (h, k).
Examples Using Vertex Formula
Example 1: Find the vertex of y = 3x2 – 6x + 1.
Solution:
To find: The vertex of the given equation (parabola).
Comparing the given equation with y = ax2 + bx + c, we get
a = 3, b = -6, c = 1.
Then the discriminant is, D = b2 – 4ac = (-6)2 – 4(3)(1) = 36 – 12 = 24.
Using the vertex formula (formula 1),
Vertex, (h, k) = (-b/2a, -D/4a)
(h, k) =( -(-6) / (2×3), -24 / (4×3) ) = (6/6, -24/12) = (1, -2)
Therefore, The vertex of the given parabola = (1, -2).
Example 2: Find the vertex of a parabola whose x-intercepts are (2, 0) and (3, 0) and whose y-intercept is (0, 6).
Solution:
To find: The vertex of the parabola.
Since (2, 0) and (3, 0) are the x-intercepts of the given parabola, (x – 2) and (x – 3) are the factors of the equation of the parabola. So the equation of the parabola is of the form:
y = a (x – 2) (x – 3) …. (1)
Its y-intercept is given to be (0, 6). Substitute x = 0 and y = 6 in the above equation:
6 = a (0 – 2) (0 – 3)
6 = 6a
a = 1
Substitute a = 1 in (1):
y = 1 (x – 2) (x – 3) = x2 – 5x + 6 … (2)
Comparing the above equation with y = ax2 + bx + c, we get
a = 1; b = -5; c = 6
Using the vertex formula (formula 2),
x-coordinate of the vertex = -b / 2a = -(-5) / (2×1) = 5/2
Substitute this in (2) to find the y-coordinate of the vertex.
y = (5/2)2 – 5 (5/2) + 6 = -1/4
Therefore, The vertex of the given parabola = (5/2, -1/4)
Example 3: Determine the coordinates of the vertex for the given parabola equation: y= 4x2 + 16x -16
Solution:
Given equation: y= 4x2 + 16x -16
Here a = 4, b = 16
We know that the formula to find the x- coordinate is given by -b/2a
= -16/2(4)
= -2
Therefore, x -coordinate is -2
Now, substitute the value of x in the given equation, we get
y = 4(-2)2 +16(-2) -16
y= -32
Hence, the vertex coordinates (h, k) is (-2, -32)
FAQs on Vertex Formula
What is Vertex Formula?
The Vertex formula of a parabola is used to find the coordinates of the point where the parabola crosses its axis of symmetry. The coordinates are given as (h,k). The vertex of a parabola is a point at which the parabola is minimum (when the parabola opens up) or maximum (when the parabola opens down) and the parabola turns (or) changes its direction.
What is the Formula to Find the Vertex on X Coordinates?
Using the standard form of a parabola y = ax2 + bx + c and the vertex equation y = a(x – h)2 + k, we can derive at the first formula of vertex i.e.
The vertex formula is: (h, k) = (-b/2a, -D/4a) where D = b2 – 4ac
How do you Use Vertex Formula?
Vertex formula can be used to find the vertex of any parabola using the parabola equation. The vertex formula for parabola equation y = ax2 + bx + c is given as, (h, k) = (-b/2a, -D/4a) where D = b2 – 4ac
What is the Formula to Find the Vertex on Y Coordinates?
To find the vertex (h, k), get h(x-coordinate of the vertex) = -b/2a from the standard equation y = ax2 + bx + c and then find y at h to get k (the y-coordinate of the vertex).
What is the Alternative Formula used to Find the Vertex?
The vertex formula to find the vertex coordinates (h,k)= (-b/2a, -D/4a) from the standard equation y = ax2 + bx + c, where D = b2 – 4ac.
The Vertex of a Parabola
The vertex of a parabola is the point where the parabola crosses its axis of symmetry. If the coefficient of the x2
term is positive, the vertex will be the lowest point on the graph, the point at the bottom of the “ U ”-shape. If the coefficient of the x2 term is negative, the vertex will be the highest point on the graph, the point at the top of the “ U”-shape.
The standard equation of a parabola is
y=ax2+bx+c
.But the equation for a parabola can also be written in “vertex form”:
y=a(x−h)2+k
In this equation, the vertex of the parabola is the point (h,k)
You can see how this relates to the standard equation by multiplying it out:
y=a(x−h)(x−h)+k
y=ax2−2ahx+ah2+k
. This means that in the standard form, y=ax2+bx+c , the expression −b/2a gives the x -coordinate of the vertex.
How to Convert From Standard Quadratic Form to Vertex Form
y+3/14=7x2+42x
y+3/14=7(x2+6x)
The next step is to complete the square. In this case, the square you’re completing is the equation inside of the parentheses—by adding a constant, you’re turning it into an equation that can be written as a square.
To calculate that new constant, take the value next to x (6, in this case), divide it by 2, and square it.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully converted your equation from standard quadratic to vertex form.
Now, most problems won’t just ask you to convert your equations from standard form to vertex form; they’ll want you to actually give the coordinates of the vertex of the parabola.
To avoid getting tricked by sign changes, let’s write out the general vertex form equation directly above the vertex form equation we just calculated:
How to Convert From Vertex Form to Standard Form
Converting equations from their vertex form to the regular quadratic form is a much more straightforward process: all you need to do is multiply out the vertex form.
Parabola Vertex Form Practice: Sample Questions
To wrap up this exploration of vertex form, we have four example problems and explanations. See if you can solve the problems yourself before reading through the explanations!
Parabola Vertex Form Practice: Solutions
#1: What is the vertex form of the quadratic equation x2+2.6x+1.2?
Start by separating out the non-x variable onto the other side of the equation:
y−1.2=x2+2.6x
Since our a (as in ax2+bx+c) in the original equation is equal to 1, we don’t need to factor it out of the right side here (although if you want, you can write y−1.2=1(x2+2.6x)).
Next, divide the x coefficient (2.6) by 2 and square it, then add the resulting number to both sides of the equation:
#2: Convert the equation 7y=91×2−112 into vertex form. What is the vertex?
When converting an equation into vertex form, you want the y have a coefficient of 1, so the first thing we’re going to do is divide both sides of this equation by 7:
Now, there are a couple of ways to go from here. The sneaky way is to use the fact that there’s already a square written into the vertex form equation to our advantage.
First, we’ll move the constant over to the left side of the equation:
Vertex formula
For the vertex form of the parabola, y = a(x – h)2 + k, the coordinates (h, k) of the vertex are,
(h, k) = (-b/2a, -D/4a)
where,
a is the coefficient of x2,
b is the coefficient of x,
D = b2 – 4ac is the discriminant of the standard form y = ax2 + bx + c.
Derivation
Suppose we have a parabola with standard equation as, y = ax2 + bx + c.
This can be written as,
y – c = ax2 + bx
y – c = a (x2 + bx/a)
Adding and subtracting b2/4a2 on the RHS, we get
y – c = a (x2 + bx/a + b2/4a2 – b2/4a2)
y – c = a ((x + b/2a)2 – b2/4a2)
y – c = a (x + b/2a)2 – b2/4a
y = a (x + b/2a)2 – b2/4a + c
y = a (x + b/2a)2 – (b2/4a – c)
y = a (x + b/2a)2 – (b2 – 4ac)/4a
We know, D = b2 – 4ac, so the equation becomes,
y = a (x + b/2a)2 – D/4a
Comparing the above equation with the vertex form y = a(x – h)2 + k, we get
h = -b/2a and k = -D/4a
This derives the formula for coordinates of the vertex of a parabola.
Sample Problems
Problem 1. Find the coordinates of the vertex for the parabola y = 2x2 + 4x – 4.
Solution:
We have the equation as, y = 2x2 + 4x – 4.
Here, a = 2, b = 4 and c = -4.
Now, it is known that the coordinates of the vertex are given by, (-b/2a, -D/4a) where D = b2 – 4ac.
D = (4)2 – 4 (2) (-4)
= 16 + 32
= 48
So, x – coordinate of vertex = -4/2(2) = -4/4 = -1.
y – coordinate of vertex = -48/4(2) = -48/8 = -6
Hence, the vertex of the parabola is (-1, -6).
Problem 2. Find the coordinates of the vertex for the parabola y = 3x2 + 5x – 2.
Solution:
We have the equation as, y = 3x2 + 5x – 2.
Here, a = 3, b = 5 and c = -2.
Now, it is known that the coordinates of the vertex are given by, (-b/2a, -D/4a) where D = b2 – 4ac.
D = (5)2 – 4 (3) (-2)
= 25 + 24
= 49
So, x – coordinate of vertex = -5/2(3) = -5/6
y – coordinate of vertex = -49/4(3) = -49/12
Hence, the vertex of the parabola is (-5/6, -49/12).
Problem 3. Find the coordinates of the vertex for the parabola y = 3x2 – 6x + 1.
Solution:
We have the equation as, y = 3x2 – 6x + 1.
Here, a = 3, b = -6 and c = 1.
Now, it is known that the coordinates of the vertex are given by, (-b/2a, -D/4a) where D = b2 – 4ac.
D = (-6)2 – 4 (3) (1)
= 36 – 12
= 24
So, x – coordinate of vertex = 6/2(3) = 6/6 = 1
y – coordinate of vertex = -24/4(3) = -24/12 = -2
Hence, the vertex of the parabola is (1, -2).
Problem 4. Find the coordinates of the vertex for the parabola y = 3x2 + 8x – 8.
Solution:
We have the equation as, y = 3x2 + 8x – 8.
Here, a = 3, b = 8 and c = -8.
Now, it is known that the coordinates of the vertex are given by, (-b/2a, -D/4a) where D = b2 – 4ac.
D = (8)2 – 4 (3) (-8)
= 64 + 96
= 160
So, x – coordinate of vertex = -8/2(3) = -8/6 = -4/3
y – coordinate of vertex = -160/4(3) = -160/12 = -40/3
Hence, the vertex of the parabola is (-4/3, -40/3).
Problem 5. Find the coordinates of the vertex for the parabola y = 6x2 + 12x + 4.
Solution:
We have the equation as, y = 6x2 + 12x + 4.
Here, a = 6, b = 12 and c = 4.
Now, it is known that the coordinates of the vertex are given by, (-b/2a, -D/4a) where D = b2 – 4ac.
D = (12)2 – 4 (6) (4)
= 144 – 96
= 48
So, x – coordinate of vertex = -12/2(6) = -12/12 = -1
y – coordinate of vertex = -48/4(6) = -48/24 = -2
Hence, the vertex of the parabola is (-1, -2).
Problem 6. Find the coordinates of the vertex for the parabola y = x2 + 7x – 5.
Solution:
We have the equation as, y = x2 + 7x – 5.
Here, a = 1, b = 7 and c = -5.
Now, it is known that the coordinates of the vertex are given by, (-b/2a, -D/4a) where D = b2 – 4ac.
D = (7)2 – 4 (1) (-5)
= 49 + 20
= 69
So, x – coordinate of vertex = -7/2(1) = -7/2
y – coordinate of vertex = -69/4(1) = -69/4
Hence, the vertex of the parabola is (-7/2, -69/4).
Problem 7. Find the coordinates of the vertex for the parabola y = 2x2 + 10x – 3.
Solution:
We have the equation as, y = x2 + 7x – 5.
Here, a = 1, b = 7 and c = -5.
Now, it is known that the coordinates of the vertex are given by, (-b/2a, -D/4a) where D = b2 – 4ac.
D = (7)2 – 4 (1) (-5)
= 49 + 20
= 69
So, x – coordinate of vertex = -7/2(1) = -7/2
y – coordinate of vertex = -69/4(1) = -69/4
Hence, the vertex of the parabola is (-7/2, -69/4).
Finding the X Coordinate of the Vertex
Now, let’s look at an example where we use the vertex formula and a table of values to graph a function.
Example 1 – Finding the Vertex
The vertex, also known as your maximum point, is (-1, 4.5). The zeros of the function are: (-4,0) and (2,0). These are the points where the parabola crosses the x-axis.
Ok, ready to try one on your own?
Practice Problem
Given the following function:
h(x) = 1/2x2 – x +2
- Predict whether the parabola will open up or down.
- Find the x coordinate of the vertex using the vertex formula.
- Create a table of values and graph the parabola.
- Identify the zeros of function.
Solution
1
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