Question

Determine whether the given quadratic function has a minimum or maximum value. Then find the coordinates of the minimum or maximum point:

f(x)=-x^2-2x-6

Answer 1

If the coeffricient of x^2 is positive, then the parabola is U-shaped and has a minimum.

If the coefficient of x^2 is a negative number, then it is upside down U, and has a maximum.

Answer 2

The x-coordinate of the max or min will be x = -b/(2a).

When you have that number x, subsitute that number into the equation for y, and you will have the coordinates of the max or min.

Answer 3

so you pretty much do the same thing you would do if you were solving to find the vertex?

Answer 4

Yes, the vertex of the parabola is the maximum or minimum point of a parabola.

Answer 5

So the answer is Maximum, (1,-5)?

Answer 6

(-1,-5) my bad

Answer 7

in your equation, you have -x^2, so the coefficient of x^2 is -1, so you know it will be an upside down U, and will have a maximum