Question

Help please. I need to graph the Quadratic Equation y = -x^2 - 4x - 3

Answer 1

So far I have
a= -x^2
b= -4x
c= -3

Following the rule of x= -b/2a

x= 4x/2(-x^2) = 4x/-2x^2 = - 2/x

Answer 2

Is the line of symmetry - 2/x?

Answer 3

Remember that a, b, and c are actually the numbers that are the coefficients.
For example in 2x^2 + 4x + 6 = 0
a = 2
b = 4
c = 6

Answer 4

So for my equation, they would be
a=2
b=-4
c=-3

Answer 5

In -x^2 - 4x - 3
a = -1
b = -4
c = -3

Answer 6

So with that, using x=-b/2a would be 4/2?

Answer 7

Or 4/-2, rather.

Answer 8

Which in turn means that the Line of Symmetry for this equation is -2 since 4/-2 = -2

Answer 9

The axis of symmetry is
x = -(b)/2a

in this case you would have
x = -(-4)/2(-1)
x = 4/-2
x = -2

Answer 10

So I have that correct, What would come next for graphing the equation?

Answer 11

Find the vertex by plugging back -2 into the quadratic equation to get the y value.

Answer 12

Then make a table with