The vertex form for the equation of a parabola with vertical axis of symmetry is y = a(x - h)² + k Be sure to memorize that equation, and the following facts about it: Its vertex is the point (h,k) Its axis of symmetry is the vertical line that passes through the vertex, which has the equation x = h It passes through the two points (h+1,k+a) and (h-1,k+a) If a is positive, the parabola opens upward and its vertex is a minimum point. If a is negative, the parabola opens downward and its vertex is a maximum point. The y-intercept is found by substituting 0 for x and solving for y, It will be the point (0,"that y-value") The x-intercepts, (if any), are found by substituting 0 for y and solving for x. They will be the points (r1, 0) and (r2, 0) The minimum value is the number k if the vertex is a minimum point. The maximum value is the number k if the vertex is a maximum point. Its standard form is y = ax² + bx + c which is gotten from the vertex form by multiplying it out, collecting like terms and placing it in descending order. Its factored form is y = a(x - r1)(x - r2) where the r's stand for the x-values of the x-intercepts, if any. Not all equations of parabolas have x-intercepts or a factored form. ------------------------ Your equation: y =(x - 2)² - 3 is already in vertex form. We compare it to y = a(x - h)² + k We see that a = , h = 2, and k = -3 So using the above facts: Its vertex is the point (h,k) = (2,-3) We plot that vertex point: Its axis of symmetry is the vertical line that passes through the vertex, which has the equation x = h or x = 2 So through that vertex we draw the axis of symmetry. It passes through the two points (h+1,k+a) and (h-1,k+a). h+1 = 2+1 = 3, k+a = -3+ = -2.25, the point (2,-2.25) h-1 = 2-1 = 1, the point (1,-2.25) We plot those two points Since a is positive, the parabola opens upward and its vertex is a minimum point. The y-intercept is found by substituting 0 for x and solving for y. y = (x - 2)² - 3 y = (0 - 2)² - 3 y = (-2)² - 3 y = (4) - 3 y = 3 - 3 y = 0 So the y-intercept is the point (0,0), the origin. We plot that and also another matching point on the other side of the axis of symmetry, which is (4,0), We plot those: Now we can draw in the parabola: As it turns out in this particular problem, we have already found the x intercepts, (0,0) and (4,0). In other problems we would have to find them by setting y = 0. But we didn't need to here. The minimum value is the number k or -3 because the vertex is a minimum point. Its factored form is gotten from the vertex form by multiplying it out, collecting like terms and placing it in descending order and factoring: y = (x - 2)² - 3 Multiply through by 4 4y = 3(x - 2)² - 12 4y = 3(x - 2)(x - 2) - 12 4y = 3(x² - 4x + 4) - 12 4y = 3x² - 12x + 12 - 12 4y = 3x² - 12x 4y = 3x(x - 4) y = x(x - 4) if you think of the x factor as (x - 0) you can see it is factored form y = a(x - r1)(x - r2) : y = (x - 0)(x - 4) but you can leave it y = x(x - 4) and that's the factored form. The standard form is found by multiplying either of the forms out and collecting terms: If we multiply the factored form out: y = x(x - 4) y = (x² - 4x) y = x² - 3x That is the standard form y = ax² + bx + c if you think of it as y = x² - 3x + 0 But you can just leave it as y = x² - 3x and that will be considered the standard form Edwin