Objectives Find the zeros of a quadratic function from its graph. Find the axis of symmetry and the vertex of a parabola.

Recall that an x-intercept of a function is a value of x when y = 0 Recall that an x-intercept of a function is a value of x when y = 0. A zero of a function is an x-value that makes the function equal to 0. So a zero of a function is the same as an x-intercept of a function. Since a graph intersects the x-axis at the point or points containing an x-intercept, these intersections are also at the zeros of the function. A quadratic function may have one, two, or no zeros.

Example 1A: Finding Zeros of Quadratic Functions From Graphs Find the zeros of the quadratic function from its graph. Check your answer. y = x2 – 2x – 3 y = (–1)2 – 2(–1) – 3 = 1 + 2 – 3 = 0 y = 32 –2(3) – 3 = 9 – 6 – 3 = 0 y = x2 – 2x – 3 Check  The zeros appear to be –1 and 3.

Example 1B: Finding Zeros of Quadratic Functions From Graphs Find the zeros of the quadratic function from its graph. Check your answer. y = x2 + 8x + 16 Check y = x2 + 8x + 16 y = (–4)2 + 8(–4) + 16 = 16 – 32 + 16 = 0  The zero appears to be –4.

Example 1C: Finding Zeros of Quadratic Functions From Graphs Find the zeros of the quadratic function from its graph. Check your answer. y = –2x2 – 2 The graph does not cross the x-axis, so there are no zeros of this function.

Find the axis of symmetry of each parabola. (–1, 0) Identify the x-coordinate of the vertex. The axis of symmetry is x = –1. B. Find the average of the zeros. The axis of symmetry is x = 2.5.

Y= x2 + 4x - 21 Check Graph the related quadratic function. The zeros of the related function should be the same as the solutions from factoring. ● The graph of y = x2 + 4x – 21 shows that two zeros appear to be –7 and 3, the same as the solutions from factoring. 

Check Graph the related quadratic function. Y= x2 – 12x + 36 Check Graph the related quadratic function. ● The graph of y = x2 – 12x + 36 shows that one zero appears to be 6, the same as the solution from factoring. 

Y=x2 + 4x - 5 Check Graph the related quadratic function. The zeros of the related function should be the same as the solutions from factoring. ● The graph of y = x2 + 4x – 5 shows that the two zeros appear to be 1 and –5, the same as the solutions from factoring. 