Question

Determine whether the graph opens upward or downward. y = -3x2 - 12x - 12

Answer 1

Parabolas with negative coefficients on the x^2 term open downwards.

Answer 2

Can you determine what the coefficient on the x^2 term is?

Answer 3

y = ax^2 + bx + c

"a" is the coefficient in this general form for x^2

Answer 4

So, all you have to do is match the general form with your equation and see what "a" corresponds to.