Forms of quadratics

Standard
\(\boldsymbol{ax^2+bx+c}\)
Factored
\(\boldsymbol{a(x-r)(x-s)}\)
Vertex
\(\boldsymbol{a(x-h)^2+k}\)
Shape \(a\neq 0\) for any quadratic
\(a\gt 0\) means parabola opens up and the vertex is a minimum
\(a\lt 0\) means parabola opens down and the vertex is a maximum
\(x\)-intercepts \((x_0)\)
\(y=0\)
Quadratic formula
\(x_0=\dfrac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\)
Read directly
\(x_0=r\:;\) or \(x_0=s\)
Solve for \(x\)
\(x_0=h\pm\sqrt{\dfrac{-k}{a}}\)
\(y\)-intercept \((y_0)\)
\(x=0\)
Read directly
\(y_0=c\)
Substitute with \(x=0\); solve for \(y_0\)
\(y_0=ars\)
Substitute with \(x=0\); solve for \(y_0\)
\(y_0=ah^2+k\)
Vertex
\((x_v,y_v)\)
\(x_v=\dfrac{-b}{2a}\)
Substitute to get \(y_v\)
\(x_v=\dfrac{r+s}{2}\)
Substitute to get \(y_v\)
Read directly
\((h,k)\)
Number of real roots Discriminant
\(\Delta=b^2-4ac\)
None \(\Delta \lt 0\) Form does not exist \(\frac{k}{a}\gt 0\)
One \(\Delta = 0\) \(r=s\)
form becomes \(a(x-r)^2\)
\(k=0\)
form becomes \(a(x-r)^2\)
Two \(\Delta \gt 0\) \(r\neq s\) \(\frac{k}{a}\lt 0\)
Interconversion
To standard N/A Expand and simplify Expand and simplify
To factored
  • Quadratic factoring
  • Calculate roots and write directly
    (Remember \(a\))
  • May not exist (check \(\Delta\))
N/A
  • Through standard form
  • Calculate roots and write directly
    (Remember \(a\))
  • May not exist (check \(\frac{k}{a}\))
To vertex
  • Completing the square
  • Calculate the vertex and write directly
    (Remember \(a\))
  • Through standard form
  • Calculate the vertex and write directly
    (Remember \(a\))
N/A

Refer also to Basics of factoring and Completing the square.