Parabola Families Practice Problems & Transformations

Master parabola transformations with practice problems covering y=x², y=x²+c, y=(x-p)², and y=(x-p)²+k. Learn horizontal and vertical shifts step-by-step.

📚Master Parabola Family Transformations Through Practice
  • Identify vertex and axis of symmetry for basic parabola y=x²
  • Solve vertical shift problems using y=x²+c transformations
  • Determine horizontal shifts in y=(x-p)² parabola families
  • Combine horizontal and vertical transformations in y=(x-p)²+k
  • Graph parabola families with different values of a, p, and k
  • Analyze increasing and decreasing intervals of transformed parabolas

Understanding Parabola Families

Complete explanation with examples

The Family of Parabolas

The function y=x2y=x^2

the most basic quadratic function:
y=X2y=X^2

Parabola y=X²

The family of parabolas y=x2+cy=x²+c

The family of parabolas y=x2+cy=x^2+c
The basic quadratic function – with the addition of cc

The family of parabolas y=(xp)2y=(x-p)²

In this family, we are given a quadratic function that clearly shows us how the function moves horizontally – how many steps it needs to move right or left.
PP represents the number of steps the function will move horizontally – right or left.
If PP is positive – (there is a minus in the equation) – the function will move PP steps to the right.
If PP is negative – (and as a result, there is a plus in the equation because minus times minus equals plus) – the function will move PP steps to the left.

The family of parabolas y=(xp)2+ky=(x-p)²+k

In this quadratic function, we can see a combination of horizontal and vertical shifts:
KK: Determines the number of steps and the direction the function will move vertically – up or down.
KK positive – shift up, KK negative – shift down.
PP: Determines the number of steps and the direction the function will move horizontally – right or left.

Detailed explanation

Practice Parabola Families

Test your knowledge with 36 quizzes

Find the corresponding algebraic representation of the drawing:

(0,-4)(0,-4)(0,-4)

Examples with solutions for Parabola Families

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

What is the value of y for the function?

y=x2 y=x^2

of the point x=2 x=2 ?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Substitute the given value of x x into the equation.
  • Step 2: Perform the calculation to find y y .

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The given equation is y=x2 y = x^2 . We need to substitute x=2 x = 2 into this equation.

Step 2: Substitute to get y=(2)2 y = (2)^2 . Calculate 2×2=4 2 \times 2 = 4 .

Therefore, the value of y y when x=2 x = 2 is y=4 y = 4 .

Hence, the solution to the problem is y=4 y = 4 .

Answer:

y=4 y=4

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Find the intersection of the function

y=(x+4)2 y=(x+4)^2

With the Y

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we will find the intersection of the function with the Y-axis by following these steps:

  • Step 1: Recognize that the intersection with the Y-axis occurs where x=0 x = 0 .
  • Step 2: Substitute x=0 x = 0 into the function y=(x+4)2 y = (x+4)^2 .
  • Step 3: Perform the calculation to find the y-coordinate.

Now, let's solve the problem:

Step 1: Identify the Y-axis intersection by setting x=0 x = 0 .
Step 2: Substitute x=0 x = 0 into the function:

y=(0+4)2=42=16 y = (0+4)^2 = 4^2 = 16

Step 3: The intersection point on the Y-axis is (0,16)(0, 16).

Therefore, the solution to the problem is (0,16)(0, 16).

Answer:

(0,16) (0,16)

Video Solution
Exercise #3

Complete:

The missing value of the function point:

f(x)=x2 f(x)=x^2

f(?)=16 f(?)=16

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Set up the equation from the function definition.
  • Step 2: Solve the equation by taking the square root of both sides.
  • Step 3: Identify all possible values for x x .
  • Step 4: Compare with the given answer choices.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: We start with the equation given by the function f(x)=x2 f(x) = x^2 . We know f(?)=16 f(?) = 16 , so we can write:

x2=16 x^2 = 16

Step 2: To solve for x x , we take the square root of both sides of the equation:

x=±16 x = \pm \sqrt{16}

Step 3: Solve for 16 \sqrt{16} :

The square root of 16 is 4, so:

x=4 x = 4 or x=4 x = -4

This gives us the two solutions: x=4 x = 4 and x=4 x = -4 .

Step 4: Compare these solutions to the answer choices. The correct choice is:

f(4) f(4) and f(4) f(-4)

Therefore, the solution to the problem is f(4) f(4) and f(4) f(-4) .

Answer:

f(4) f(4) f(4) f(-4)

Video Solution
Exercise #4

Find the intersection of the function

y=(x2)2 y=(x-2)^2

With the X

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll find the intersection of the function y=(x2)2 y = (x-2)^2 with the x-axis. The x-axis is characterized by y=0 y = 0 . Hence, we set (x2)2=0 (x-2)^2 = 0 and solve for x x .

Let's follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Set the function equal to zero:

(x2)2=0 (x-2)^2 = 0

  • Step 2: Solve the equation for x x :

Taking the square root of both sides gives x2=0 x - 2 = 0 .

Adding 2 to both sides results in x=2 x = 2 .

  • Step 3: Find the intersection point coordinates:

The x-coordinate is x=2 x = 2 , and since it intersects the x-axis, the y-coordinate is y=0 y = 0 .

Therefore, the intersection point of the function with the x-axis is (2,0)(2, 0).

The correct choice from the provided options is (2,0) (2, 0) .

Answer:

(2,0) (2,0)

Video Solution
Exercise #5

One function

y=6x2 y=-6x^2

to the corresponding graph:

1234

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we need to match the function y=6x2 y = -6x^2 with its graph. This function represents a downward-opening parabola with the vertex at the origin (0,0)(0,0). The coefficient 6-6 is negative, confirming it opens downwards, and its large absolute value indicates that the parabola closes towards the axis more sharply than a standard y=x2 y = -x^2 curve.

Let's identify the characteristics of y=6x2 y = -6x^2 :
- The graph is a parabola, opening downwards.
- The vertex is at the origin, (0,0)(0,0).
- Symmetric around the y-axis.
- Its steepness is greater than the standard parabola y=x2 y = -x^2 due to the coefficient 6 -6 .

By analyzing the given graph options, the graph marked as 4 aligns perfectly with these properties: It is centered on the origin, opens downwards, and has an evident steep slope.

Therefore, the correct graph that matches the function y=6x2 y = -6x^2 is option 4.

Answer:

4

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the basic parabola function and its properties?

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The basic parabola function is y=x² with vertex at (0,0) and axis of symmetry at x=0. It's a minimum function that decreases for x<0 and increases for x>0, with all y-values being positive except at x=0.

How does the parameter c affect the parabola in y=x²+c?

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The parameter c creates a vertical shift of the parabola. If c is positive, the parabola shifts up by c units; if c is negative, it shifts down by |c| units. The vertex moves from (0,0) to (0,c).

Why does y=(x-p)² move the parabola right when p is positive?

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In y=(x-p)², when p is positive, there's a minus sign in the equation. The parabola shifts p units to the right because the function equals zero when x=p, making the new vertex at (p,0).

How do you find the vertex of y=(x-p)²+k?

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The vertex of y=(x-p)²+k is at point (p,k). The value p determines horizontal shift (right if positive, left if negative), and k determines vertical shift (up if positive, down if negative).

What happens when the coefficient a changes in y=ax²?

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When |a| > 1, the parabola becomes narrower (smaller opening). When 0 < |a| < 1, the parabola becomes wider (larger opening). If a is negative, the parabola opens downward instead of upward.

How do you determine if a parabola opens up or down?

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Look at the coefficient of x². If it's positive (like in y=x² or y=2x²), the parabola opens upward (minimum function). If it's negative (like in y=-x²), the parabola opens downward (maximum function).

What are the increasing and decreasing intervals for parabola families?

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For upward-opening parabolas with vertex at (h,k): decreasing interval is x < h, increasing interval is x > h. For downward-opening parabolas: increasing interval is x < h, decreasing interval is x > h.

How do you graph y=(x+3)²-4 step by step?

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Start with basic parabola y=x². Since p=-3 (from x+3), shift 3 units left. Since k=-4, shift 4 units down. The vertex is at (-3,-4) and the parabola opens upward with axis of symmetry at x=-3.

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