SOLUTION: What are some main differences between the graphical representation of quadratic equations and linear equations?

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Question 200161: What are some main differences between the graphical representation of quadratic equations and linear equations?
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Linear Equations:
1) Graphs are a straight line (see below)
2) There is at most one x-intercept
3) There is at most one y-intercept
4) The line can be described with a slope and y-intercept


Graph of a Linear Equation:



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Quadratic Equations:

1) Graphs are a curved parabola (see below)
2) There are at most 2 x-intercepts (sometimes there's only 1 or none at all)
3) There is at most one y-intercept
4) There is one point on the graph that is a maximum or a minimum (ie the vertex)


Graph of a Quadratic Equation: