The Graph of y = ax
2
+ bx + c 395
Lesson 6
–
4
Parabola Congruence Theorem
The graph of the equation y = ax
2
+ bx + c is a parabola congruent
to the graph of y
= ax
2
.
Recall that a
quadratic function
is any function
f
whose equation can
be put in the form
f
(
x
) =
ax
2
+
bx
+
c
, where
a
≠ 0. Thus, the graph
of every quadratic function is a parabola, with
y
–
intercept
f
(0) =
c
.
Unless otherwise specifi ed, the domain of a quadratic function is the
set of real numbers. When
a
> 0, the range is the set of real numbers
greater than or equal to its minimum value. When
a
< 0, the range is
the set of real numbers less than or equal to its maximum value.
Applications of Quadratic Functions
Some applications of quadratic functions have been known for
centuries. In the early 17th century, Galileo described the height of
an object in free fall. Later that century, Isaac Newton derived his
laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation. In developing his
mathematical equations for the height of an object, Newton reasoned
as follows:
Gravity is a force that pulls objects near Earth downward.
Without gravity, a ball thrown upward would continue traveling
at a constant rate. Then its height would be (initial height)
+ (upward velocity) · (time). So, if it were thrown at 59 feet
per second from an initial height of 4 feet, it would continue
traveling at 59 feet per second, and its height after
t
seconds
would be 4 + 59
t
.
Galileo had shown that gravity pulls the ball downward a total
of 16
t
2
feet after
t
seconds. This effect can be subtracted from
the upward motion without gravity. Therefore, after
t
seconds,
its height in feet would be 4 + 59
t
- 16
t
2
feet. The number 16
in the expression is a constant for all objects falling at or near
Earth’s surface when the distances are measured in feet. When
measured in meters, this number is 4.9.
Example 2
A thrown ball has height h =
–
16t
2
+ 59t + 4 after t seconds.
a. Find h when t = 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.
b. Explain what the pairs (t, h) tell you about the height of the ball for
t = 0, 2, and 4.
•
•
Sir Isaac NewtonSir Isaac Newton
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