Which function has the widest graph?
A. y=2x^2 B. y=x^2 C. y=0.5x^2 D.y=-x^2
Do you have to graph each one to find the answer?

Question

Which function has the widest graph?
A. y=2x^2     B. y=x^2     C. y=0.5x^2     D.y=-x^2
Do you have to graph each one to find the answer?

anonymous · Answer

You can do that, or you can learn to visualize each of the parabolas in your head.  For example, the sides of the parabola in A are going to be steeper than the others, because x is multiplied by 2.  B and D are going to have the same width, just faced in opposite directions.  C is going to be not nearly as steep, since x is divided by 2.

anonymous · Answer

|dw:1314737805063:dw|If you visualize in your head you can approximate what the graphs look like and see which one is wider