document.write( "Question 463577: When looking at a graph of a quadratic function, f(x) = ax2 + bx + c
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( " 1) How can one tell if the graph is symmetric?\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #317573 by MathLover1(20850) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The general form of a quadratic is \" $\"y+=+ax%5E2+%2B+bx+%2B+c\"$ \". It is a $\"parabola\"$ . For graphing, the leading coefficient \" $\"a\"$ \" indicates how \"fat\" or how \"skinny\" the parabola will be.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Parabolas always have a $\"lowest\"$ point (or a $\"highest\"$ point, if the parabola is upside-down). This $\"point\"$ , where the parabola changes direction, is called the \" $\"vertex\"$ \".\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The only other consideration regarding the $\"vertex\"$ is the \" $\"axis\"$ $\"+of\"$ $\"symmetry\"$ \". If you look at a parabola, you'll notice that you could $\"draw+\"$ a $\"vertical\"$ line (or $\"horizontal+line%29+right+up+through+the+middle+which+would+%7B%7B%7Bsplit\"$ the parabola into $\"two\"$ $\"+mirrored\"$ $\"halves\"$ . \n" ); document.write( "

\n" );