The questions below dealing with quadratic functions have been selected from various state and national assessments. Although this lesson alone may not equip students with the ability to answer all such test questions successfully, students who participate in active lessons like this one will eventually develop the conceptual understanding needed to succeed on these and other state assessment questions.
Taken from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), Grade 12 (1992):
If f(x) = 4x2 - 7x + 5.7, what is the value of f(3.5)?
Solution: 30.2
Taken from the Ohio Grade 12 Proficiency Test (February 2001):
What is the standard form of the equation 2x2 + 6 = x2 - 7x - 4?
A. x2 + 6 = -7x - 4
B. x2 + 7x = -10 C. x2 + 7x + 10 = 0 (correct answer)
D. 2x2 = x2 - 7x - 10
Taken from the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment, Grade 8 (2002):
Which equation states a rule for the pattern shown in the table below?
Input (x)
1
2
3
4
Output (y)
1
5
11
19
A. y = x2 - x + 1 B. y = x2 + x - 1 (correct answer)
C. y = x2 + 3
D. y = x2 + 1
Taken from California High School Exit Examination (Spring 2001):
The length of the rectangle above is 6 units longer than the width. Which expression could be used to represent the area of the rectangle?
A. x2 + 6x (correct answer)
B. x2 - 36
C. x2 + 6x + 6
D. x2 + 12x + 36
