IXL - Find properties of a parabola from equations in general form (Algebra 2 practice)

In which direction does the parabola

open?

down

right

left

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

In which direction does the parabola

–

open?

down

right

left

key idea

The vertex form of a parabola that opens up or down is

(

–

)

The vertex is

(

)

the parabola opens up. If

the parabola opens down.

The vertex form of a parabola that opens right or left is

(

–

)

The vertex is

(

)

the parabola opens right. If

the parabola opens left.

solution

To find out which direction the parabola opens, identify the dilation factor

The parabola has a squared

-term,

so it could be written in the form

(

–

)

That means it opens either right or left. Notice that if the non-squared variable,

is isolated, then

is the coefficient of

So, isolate

–

The coefficient of

is 10, so

Since

is positive, the parabola opens right.

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Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

DD.7Convert equations of parabolas from general to vertex form

DD.3Find the focus or directrix of a parabola

DD.2Find the vertex of a parabola

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