Suppose a parabola has an axis of symmetry at x = –7, a maximum height of 4, and also passes through the point (–6, 0). Write the equation of the parabola in vertex form.

Question

anonymous · Answer

use what you know to find what you need

anonymous · Answer

Can you at least help me get started?

anonymous · Answer

I know the vertex is (-7,4)

anonymous · Answer

I appreciate the answer, but can you walk me through it  so that I am able to understand to complete the rest of the problems?

anonymous · Answer

Okay!

anonymous · Answer

Since the axis of symmetry is a vertical line, x = -7 and the parabola has a maximum height of 4 units above the x axis; we can safely conclude that it opens down and its vertex is at (-7, 4). Besides, it passes through the point (-6, 0), which is below the vertex; definitively, it opens down.  Furthermore, if it would open up, it would have a minimum height, not a maximum; so, no arguments, it opens down. 

The vertex form of the equation is y = a(x - h)2 + k  

Since the vertex is defined as (h, k), h = -7 and k = 4:

y = a(x - (-7))2 + 4   or:  y = a(x + 7)2 + 4 

We just need to find the value of "a" (which must be negative, remember, it opens down).  Here is where we use the point through which the parabola passes through: (-6, 0).

We substitute the values x = -6, y = 0 in the equation and solve for a:

0 = a(-6 + 7)2 + 4      simplify and subtract 4 on both sides of the equation:

-4 = a(1)2     or  a = -4  Now we are ready to write our completed equation:

y = -4(x + 7)2 + 4     A lot of fun, right?

anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much!

anonymous · Answer

sorry, the notifications are lagging severely.  looks like you got what you needed.