document.write( "Question 320386: In which direction does the parabola for the quadratic equation y = -5x2 – 16x + 21 open? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #229441 by nerdybill(7384)\"\" \"About 
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In which direction does the parabola for the quadratic equation y = -5x2 – 16x + 21 open?
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\n" ); document.write( "To determine, always look at the \"coefficient\" associated with the \"x%5E2\" term.
\n" ); document.write( "If it is POSITIVE (happy face:U), it opens upwards.
\n" ); document.write( "If it is NEGATIVE (sad face:n), it opens downwards.
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\n" ); document.write( "In your case, you're looking at:
\n" ); document.write( "\"5x%5E2\"
\n" ); document.write( "The coefficient is 5 which is POSITIVE.
\n" ); document.write( "So the parabola opens upwards.
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