Question

I have to graph this function y=x^2-2x-8 for -3<= x <= 5. How do I do it?

Answer 1

Here is a way

find the vertex and the zeros
the vertex (the bottom) has x = -b/2a where a,b are from ax^2 +bx +c
once you have this number, figure out y by replacing x in your equation with the number
you find the zeros (the x value where y is 0) by factoring


plot these 3 points

finally, figure out y for x=-3 and x= 5

Answer 2

then sketch in the curve.