vertex
(noun)
An extreme point on a conic section.
(noun)
The turning point of a curved shape.
(noun)
The minimum or maximum point of a quadratic function.
(noun)
A point on the curve with a local minimum or maximum of curvature.
Examples of vertex in the following topics:
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Graphing Quadratic Equations in Vertex Form
- The vertex form of a quadratic function lets its vertex be found easily.
- Another common form is called vertex form, because when a quadratic is written in this form, it is very easy to tell where its vertex is located.
- The vertex form is given by:
- It is more difficult to convert from standard form to vertex form.
- Now the expression in the parentheses is a square; we can write $y=(x+2)^2+2.$ Our equation is now in vertex form and we can see that the vertex is $(-2,2).$
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Parts of a Parabola
- One important feature of the parabola is that it has an extreme point, called the vertex.
- If the parabola opens down, the vertex represents the highest point on the graph, or the maximum value.
- In either case, the vertex is a turning point on the graph.
- The axis of symmetry is a vertical line drawn through the vertex.
- Notice that, for parabolas with two $x$-intercepts, the vertex always falls between the roots.
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Parabolas As Conic Sections
- The vertex is the point where the plane intersects the exterior surface of the cone.
- The vertex is therefore also a point on the cone, and the distance between that point and the cone's central axis is the radius of a circle.
- To locate the $x$-coordinate of the vertex, cast the equation for $y$ in terms of $a x^2 + b x + c$.
- The vertex will be at the point:
- For example, in the parabola $y=x^2$, $a=1$, $b=0$, $c=0$, and the vertex is at $x=0$.
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What is a Quadratic Function?
- With a quadratic function, pairs of unique independent variables will produce the same dependent variable, with only one exception (the vertex) for a given quadratic function.
- where $h$ and $k$ are respectively the coordinates of the vertex, the point at which the function reaches either its maximum (if $a$ is negative) or minimum (if $a$ is positive).
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Graphing Quadratic Equations In Standard Form
- The coefficient $a$ controls the speed of increase (or decrease) of the quadratic function from the vertex.
- The coefficients $b$ and $a$ together control the axis of symmetry of the parabola and the $x$-coordinate of the vertex.
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Financial Applications of Quadratic Functions
- Maximum profit is $5500 (the vertex), which is achieved at $250$ sales.
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What Are Conic Sections?
- The point halfway between the focus and the directrix is called the vertex of the parabola.
- The vertex lies at the midpoint between the directrix and the focus.
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Parts of a Hyperbola
- Finally, draw the curve of the hyperbola by following the asymptote inwards, curving in to touch the vertex on the rectangle, and then following the other asymptote out.
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Standard Equations of Hyperbolas
- The distance b (not shown in below) is the length of the perpendicular segment from either vertex to the asymptotes.
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Scientific Applications of Quadratic Functions
- which you should recognize as the vertex form of a quadratic equation.