Quadratics Definitions
By Aoife K.
Parabola
A symmetrical open plane curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane parallel to its side. The path of a projectile under the influence of gravity ideally follows a curve of this shape.
Example
If the vertex is below the x-axis and you know that it's a negative quadratic, the parabola will be upside down.
Quadratic
Involving the second and no higher power of an unknown quantity or variable.
Vertex
The highest point; the top or apex.
each angular point of a polygon, polyhedron, or other figure.
a meeting point of two lines that form an angle.
the point at which an axis meets a curve or surface.
Axis of Symmetry
A line through a shape so that each side is a mirror image. If the shape were to be folded in half along the axis of symmetry, then the two halves would be the same, they would match up.
Maximum Value
The maximum value of a quadratic function.
Minimum Value
The minimum value of a quadratic function.
Terms
Each of the quantities in a ratio, series, or mathematical expression.
First Differences
Example/Definition (below): the difference in y-values for consecutive x-values in a table
Second Differences
Example/Definition: the difference between the the first differences for example 10-6 above is 4 and so on.
Zeros (roots)
It is a solution to the polynomial equation, P(x) = 0.
It is that value of x that makes the polynomial equal to 0.
It is that value of x that makes the polynomial equal to 0.