Question

find an equation for a parabola with the vetex (-5,4) and point (-8,3)

Answer 1

http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/f/3/f/f3f16731f22e8507325ef859445c1ad2.png
is called the vertex form, where h and k are the x and y coordinates of the vertex, respectively.

you then have to modify it to get the point -8 and 3

Answer 2

(x+5)^2+4 you'd get but still need modifying to get that wanted point

Answer 3

so we add a factor a

a*(x+5)^2+4 1/a stretches the graph and a compresses it but the vertex is preserved :)

Answer 4

you need to (-8,3)
a*(x+5)^2+4 your equation

so we know x and y so
a*(-8+5)^2+4=3 solve for a
-1/9 so your equation should be

(-1/9)*(x+5)^2+4