Exploring the Graphs of Quadratic Functions

Using the Geogebra applet, students will be able to examine the change in the graph of a quadratic function by manipulating the values of a, b, and c in the equation y=ax^2+bx+c.

Tasks: 1. Using the "a" slider, examine what happens to the graph when you move the slider from left to right. What is happening to the graph? 2. Using the "b" slider, examine what happens to the graph when you move the slider from left to right. What is happening to the graph? 3. Using the "c" slider, examine what happens to the graph when you move the slider from left to right. What is happening to the graph? 4. Find the roots of the graph when a=1, b=-0.5, and c=-2. To check your answer, use the "Show/Hide A, B, and C points" to check the coordinates of A and B to see if they match with what you have. 5. What is the maximum of the graph when a=-2, b=0, and c=-3.9? To check your answer, use the "Show/Hide A, B, and C points" to check the coordinates of C to see if it matches with what you have.