Algebra 1 - Unit #12 Key Terms

root of an equation

A solution of an equation.

quadratic function

A function of the form y = ax² + bx + c, where a does not equal 0.

quadratic equation

A quadratic equation is one that can be written in the standard form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a does not equal 0.

extraneous solution

A solution of an equation derived from an original equation that is not a solution of the original equation.

radical equation

An equation that has a variable in a radicand.

radical expression

An expression that contains a radical.

minimum

The y-coordinate of the vertex of a parabola that opens upward.

quadratic formula

If a² + bx + c = 0 and a is not equal to 0, then the solutions can be found by plugging the coefficients a, b, and c into the quadratic formula.

discriminant

The discriminant of a quadratic equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0 is b² - 4ac. The value of the discriminant determines the number of solutions of the equation.

parabola

The graph of a quadratic function.

Vertex

The highest or lowest point on a parabola.

axis of symmetry

The line that divides a parabola into two matching halves.

quadratic parent function

The simplest quadratic function f(x) = x² or y = x².

standard form of a quadratic equation

The standard form of a quadratic equation is ax² + bx + c = 0, where a does not equal 0.

standard form of a quadratic function

The standard form of a quadratic function is f(x) = ax² + bx + c = 0, where a does not equal 0.

zero of a function

The x-intercept of the graph of a function.

maximum

The y-coordinate of the vertex of a parabola that opens downward.

rationalize the denominator

To rewrite an expression so there are no radicals in any denominator.