Question

Compare and contrast the two quadratic equations below. In order to receive full credit, use complete sentences to describe the following:
The direction each parabola opens
The vertex of each parabola
y = x2 - 2x
y = -2x2 + 4x - 3

Answer 1

Use a graphing calculator =)
If not, use the formula y=-b/2a to find the vertex, where a is the coefficient of x^2 and b is the coefficient of x.
For the direction each parabola opens, just look at the coefficient of the x^2. If it's positive, the parabola opens upward. If it's negative, the parabola opens downward.

Answer 2

thaaaaannnnkkks & sadly i don't have a graphing calculator yet...

Answer 3

Do you know how to derivate? Because for knowing the vertex there is a cool way using derivatives.

Answer 4

You don´t kave to keep that rule in mind, and to derivate quadratic equations is quite easy.

Answer 5

No worries! ^_^
By the way guys, based on the context of the problem, I think he/she is in algebra, not calculus. Derivatives are in precalc/calc I think?

Answer 6

I always think about the importance of knowing about in which kind of course the student that is asking is. But I´m from Argentina and I´m not used to the eeuu educational systems, I mean, different levels and courses. I just try to do the best (??)