Monday, March 12, 2012

How do we identify all the Elements of a Parabola?

When you have the formula to graph a Parabola you need to be able to understand what it stands for/ says....


                      y = ax2 + bx + c
The  A for how wide or how narrow the parabola will be.
The   B stands for the line of symmetry
The  C tells you if its will be facing up or will be facing down.( If a Parabola is facing down the C is negative but if its facing up then the C is Positive)




To find the axis of symmetry you use the formula......






          X  = -  B
                       
                  2A


Roots are where and when the parabola touches the X-axis 

1 comment:

  1. if the "a" is negative, it will face down, not "c". "c" changes the y intercept only, sliding the graph up and down as c changes.

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