Modeling with Quadratic Functions Answers

The image of a parabolic mirror is sketched on a graph. The image can be represented using the function y = x2 + 2, where x represents the horizontal distance from the maximum depth of the mirror and y represents the depth of the mirror as measured from the x-axis. How far away from the maximum depth is a point on the mirror that is inches in depth?

The graph shows the function representing the recommended amount of mulch, in cubic yards, for circular flowerbeds based on the radius of the flowerbed in feet.

The table shows the approximate height of a projectile x seconds after being fired into the air.

Ja'Von kicks a soccer ball into the air. The function f(x) = –16(x – 2)2 + 64 represents the height of the ball, in feet, as a function of time, x, in seconds. What is the maximum height the ball reaches?

The function f(x) = –(x – 20)(x – 100) represents a company’s monthly profit as a function of x, the number of purchase orders received. Which number of purchase orders will generate the greatest profit?

A student draws two parabolas on graph paper. Both parabolas cross the x-axis at (–4, 0) and (6, 0). The y-intercept of the first parabola is (0, –12). The y-intercept of the second parabola is (0, –24). What is the positive difference between the a values for the two functions that describe the parabolas? Write your answer as a decimal rounded to the nearest tenth.

The zeros of a parabola are –4 and 2, and (6, 10) is a point on the graph. Which equation can be solved to determine the value of a in the equation of the parabola?

Ryan throws a tennis ball straight up into the air. The ball reaches its maximum height at 2 seconds. The approximate height of the ball x seconds after being thrown is shown in the table.

A sculptor creates an arch in the shape of a parabola. When sketched onto a coordinate grid, the function f(x) = –2(x)(x – 8) represents the height of the arch, in inches, as a function of the distance from the left side of the arch, x. What is the height of the arch, measured 3 inches from the left side of the arch?

The height of a hill, h(x), in a painting can be written as a function of x, the distance from the left side of the painting. Both h(x) and x are measured in inches.