Question

The vertex of this parabola is at (-5, -2). When the x-value is -4, the
y-value is 2. What is the coefficient of the squared expression in the parabola's equation?

A. 1
B. 5
C. -1
D. 4

Answer 1

The equation of a parabola with given vertex at (h,k) is
\(y=f(x)=a(x-h)^2+k\)
Since h,k are known, the only unknown is "a".
By substituting (-5,2) in the equation of the parabola, we can solve for a.