We write it in vertex form f(x) = a(x-h)² + k f(x) = -1(x+2)² + 3 So -h = +2, so h = -2 and k = 3. The vertex is the point (h,k) = (-2,3) which is a maximum POINT if a is negative and a minimum POINT if a is positive. Since a = -1, then (-2,3) is a maximum POINT. But you wanted the maximum VALUE, not the maximum POINT. The maximum VALUE is just the y-coordinate of the maximum POINT, which is 3. Here is the graph. Notice that it just reaches up as high as 3 on the y-axis.Edwin