Question

Explain how to graph a quadratic equation to someone who does not

know how. Make sure you explain how to find the vertex-
formula to use. You should also teach them how to tell whether the
graph opens up or down and how to find the maximum or minimum
and zeros/solutions.

Answer 1

The term quadratic comes from the word quadrate meaning square or rectangular. Similarly, one of the definitions of the term quadratic is a square. In an algebraic sense, the definition of something quadratic involves the square and no higher power of an unknown quantity; second degree. So, for our purposes, we will be working with quadratic equations which mean that the highest degree we'll be encountering is a square. Normally, we see the standard quadratic equation written as the sum of three terms set equal to zero. Simply, the three terms include one that has an
`x^(2)`, one has an x, and one term is "by itself" with no
`x^(2)` or x.