1. What is a quadratic function?
A function with a linear rate of change, e.g., the difference between consecutive terms changes at a constant rate.
2. What is a parabola?
The symmetrical U-shape that describes the graph of a quadratic function.
3. What is a second degree polynomial?
Expressions where the highest power of x is 2.
4. What is a zero in a quadratic function?
This is equivalent to the x-value of the points where the graph of this function touches the y-axis (where y = 0, the x-intercepts).
5. What is a vertex in a quadratic function?
The turning point (either maximum or minimum) of a parabola.
6. What is a minimum in a quadratic function?
The smallest output value of a function. For quadratic functions where a > 0, this is the y-coordinate of the vertex.
7. What is a maximum in a quadratic function?
The largest output value of a function. For quadratic functions where a < 0, this is the y-coordinate of the vertex.
8. What is a perfect square?
A number or expression that is the product of two equal factors, or one factor multiplied by itself.
9. What is completing the square?
The process of rewriting a quadratic function as the sum of a perfect square and a constant value.
10. What is an axis of symmetry?
The line of symmetry for a quadratic function: x = h, where h is the x-coordinate of the vertex.
11. What is a transformation in mathematics?
An operation on a function that changes the location, direction, and/or magnitude of a function.
12. What is translation in terms of transformations?
A transformation that shifts the location of a graph of a function up, down, left, or right.
13. What is dilation in terms of transformations?
A transformation that changes the magnitude or direction of a graph of a function.
