Question

What is the x coordinate of the vertex?

y = x2 + 4x + 4

Answer 1

I haven't done this type of stuff in a long time

Answer 2

Completing square first
y = x^2 + 4x + 4
= (x+2)^2
For the form y=(x-h)^2+k
Vertex is at (h,k)
Compare the general form and what you've got, what is the vertex?

Answer 3

or you could just use the fact that -b/2a is the x-coordinated of the vertex. and to find the y coordinate, plug that into the equation to find y.