SOLUTION: Hello, I am having a lot of trouble in algebra II right now with graphing parabolas. Could you do me a favor, and write out the steps in graphing a parabola. For example: Step 1: (

Question 55980: Hello, I am having a lot of trouble in algebra II right now with graphing parabolas. Could you do me a favor, and write out the steps in graphing a parabola. For example: Step 1: (blah blah blah)
Step 2: (...)
Maybe an example problem would be: x(squared)=8y
Thanks again.
Answer by Lacey020991(49) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Step 1: Find the parent graph (in this case it is y=x^2)
Step 2: If it has a number after the x^2 the the graph moves up and down
--------Ex. y=x^2+3 (the red line is the original and the green is the new)

Step 3: If the equation has a number infront of the x^2 then it changes the slope by that number. (called a vertical stretch)
--------Ex. y=3x^2

Step 4: if it has a number in parenthesis with the x and whole thing is squared the it moves the graph left or right. If it's a negative number it moves it right. If it's a positive number it moves the graph left.
-------Ex. y=(x+3)^2

Step 5: If it has a negative infront of it, then the graph flips upside down.
-------Ex.-x^2

.
Now heres and example with all of the steps:
.
y = -3(x-2)^2 + 1
the negative flips the graph
the 3 make a veritcal stretch by factor of 3
the 2 in the parenthesis moves the graph right 2
the one at the end moves the graph up one

.
If any of this confused you just let me know and ill try to explain it better.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Hello, I would like some help with this algebra problem: Valley Community college has... (answered by jim_thompson5910)

I am having a great deal of trouble with my Algebra class. My problem is as follows:... (answered by Earlsdon,elima)

Hello, my question is and i am having a lot of trouble with it even with 2 other friends... (answered by josgarithmetic)

This is my first time using this site, so I apologize ahead of time if I do something... (answered by stanbon)

Hello! I am having trouble with my algebra homework. On one of the equasions we need to... (answered by stanbon)

Hello, I am a student who is in Grade 11 and in Mathematics Grade 11 Foundations. We... (answered by mouk)

I am in elementary algebra in college. The title of the section I am in is "solving... (answered by rapaljer)

Hello Im in Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Could you help me? Im having trouble figuring... (answered by ewatrrr)

The measures of an angle and it's compliment differ by 22 degrees find the measures of... (answered by solver91311)