How Do You Graph the Parent Quadratic Function y=x2?

Note:

Dealing with graphs of quadratic equations? You should know about the parent function graph first! All graphs of quadratic equations start off looking like this before their transformed. Check it out!

Keywords:

problem
skill
quadratic function
graphing
graph

Background Tutorials

Ordered Pairs and The Coordinate Plane
- How Do You Plot Points in the Coordinate Plane?
  
  Knowing how to plot ordered pairs is an essential part of graphing functions. In this tutorial, you'll see how to take an ordered pair and plot it on the coordinate plane. Take a look!
- What is the Origin?
  
  The coordinate plane has two axes: the horizontal and vertical axes. These two axes intersect one another at a point called the origin. Learn about the ordered pair that indicates the origin and its location in the coordinate plane by watching this tutorial!
Quadratic Functions
- How Do You Make a Table for a Quadratic Function?
  
  When you're trying to graph a quadratic equation, making a table of values can be really helpful. To figure out what x-values to use in the table, first find the vertex of the quadratic equation. That way, you can pick values on either side to see what the graph does on either side of the vertex. To see how to make a table of values for a quadratic equation, check out this tutorial!
- What is the Vertex of a Quadratic Function?
  
  Each quadratic equation has either a maximum or minimum, but did you that this point has a special name? In a quadratic equation, this point is called the vertex! Take a look at the vertex of a quadratic equation by watching this tutorial.
- What is a Quadratic Function?
  
  You can't go through algebra without seeing quadratic functions. The graphs of quadratic functions are parabolas; they tend to look like a smile or a frown. In this tutorial, get int
Parent Functions
- What is a Parent Function?
  
  Did you know that functions have parents too? Follow along with this tutorial to learn about families of functions and their parent function!
Definitions for Quadratic Functions
- What is the Axis of Symmetry of a Quadratic Function?
  
  Ever notice that the left side of the graph of a quadratic equation looks a lot like the right side of the graph? In fact, these sides are just mirror images of each other! If you were to cut a quadratic equation graph vertically in half at the vertex, you would get these symmetrical sides. That vertical line that you cut has a special name. It's called the axis of symmetry. To learn about the axis of symmetry, watch this tutorial!
Working with Quadratic Graphs
- How Do You Find the Vertex of a Quadratic Function?
  
  The vertex of a quadratic equation is the minimum or maximum point of the equation. Did you know that you can use the formula for the axis of symmetry to help find the vertex of a quadratic equation? Watch this tutorial and see how it's done!