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MathsMediumClass 11

Graph of Quadratic — Sign analysis, range

Quadratic Equations

7

JEE Qs

8%

Hard

60

min

Master the interplay between 'a', 'D', and the vertex to quickly determine the shape, x-intercepts, and range of a quadratic expression for sign analysis and solving inequalities.

🧮 Key Formulas

f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c
Discriminant D = b^2 - 4ac
Roots x = (-b ± sqrt(D)) / 2a
Vertex coordinates (-b/2a, -D/4a)
Axis of symmetry x = -b/2a

āœ… Key Points for JEE

  • 1The sign of 'a' determines the opening of the parabola: 'a > 0' means upward (minimum value), 'a < 0' means downward (maximum value).
  • 2The discriminant D determines the number of real roots (x-intercepts): D > 0 (two distinct real roots), D = 0 (two equal real roots/parabola touches x-axis), D < 0 (no real roots/parabola never crosses x-axis).
  • 3For sign analysis, the quadratic expression's sign changes at its real roots. If D > 0, between the roots, f(x) has the opposite sign to 'a'. Outside the roots, f(x) has the same sign as 'a'.
  • 4If D <= 0, the quadratic expression never changes sign and always has the same sign as 'a' for all real x.
  • 5The range of a quadratic function is determined by its vertex and opening direction: if a > 0, Range = [-D/4a, āˆž); if a < 0, Range = (-āˆž, -D/4a].

āš ļø Common Mistakes

  • āœ•Forgetting to consider the sign of 'a' when determining the opening direction of the parabola or the sign of the quadratic expression.
  • āœ•Incorrectly applying sign analysis for cases where D <= 0 (no real roots or coincident roots), leading to incorrect sign changes.
  • āœ•Confusing the role of D (nature of roots) with -D/4a (y-coordinate of the vertex, which determines the extremum of the range).

NCERT Chapters

  • Class 10 Mathematics Chapter 4: Quadratic Equations
  • Class 11 Mathematics Chapter 2: Relations and Functions