Is the graph of a quadratic function periodic? Why or why not? If the function is periodic, what is the period?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Wait, a quadratic formula is f(x) = ax^2+bx+c when a does not equal c.
So, wouldn't it be periodic? The period being b?

anonymous · Answer

A quadratic doesn't repeat a pattern like a sine or cosine function, which are wavelike.  Sometimes the term "sinusoidal" is used for the graph of a sine function.  So, no period, no wave, on the quadratic.

anonymous · Answer

Oh, okay. Got it.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you (:

anonymous · Answer

uw! A little more:

The "period" in a graph visually refers to the horizontal distance from the beginning to the end of where the graph would start repeating itself.

anonymous · Answer

so in the function f(x) = 3cos4x, 4 is the period..