What is the equation of the axis of symmetry for the function shown below?
y-2=-(x+5)^2

A. y = 2
B. x = -5
C. x = 2
D. x = 5

B or A??

Question

What is the equation of the axis of symmetry for the function shown below?
y-2=-(x+5)^2

A. y = 2
B. x = -5
C. x = 2
D. x = 5

B or A??

mathteacher1729 · Answer

Are you allowed to graph?

anonymous · Answer

yeah and I did an go (-5,2) @mathteacher1729

anonymous · Answer

i am going to make a guess that it is actually 
$$y-2=-(x+5)^2$$

anonymous · Answer

elsewise you have a line, and there would be no "axis of symmetry"

anonymous · Answer

oh yeah sorry

mathteacher1729 · Answer

(-5,2) is a point. 
You're looking for a **line** that splits the parabloa evenly down the middle.  
HINT -- the line will be of the for x = some number.

anonymous · Answer

oh ok its the line down the middle of the parabola

anonymous · Answer

how'd i guess? 
in any case write as $y=-(x+5)^2+2$ which tells you from your eyeballs that the vertex it at $(-5,2)$ because you have it in the form $y=a(x-h)^2+k$ a parabola with vertex $(h,k)$

this also tells you that the "axis of symmetry" is $x=-5$

anonymous · Answer

thank you! @satellite73

mathteacher1729 · Answer

Here's a picture , made with geogebra. If you have never used geogebra, give it a try, it's AMAZING for stuff like this. :)