document.write( "Question 637352: Why does the x^2 coefficient of the equation of a parabola determine the direction it opens? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #401574 by ewatrrr(24785)\"\" \"About 
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\n" ); document.write( "Hi,
\n" ); document.write( "\"y=a%28x-h%29%5E2+%2Bk\", the vertex form of a Parabola opening up(a>0) or down(a<0),
\n" ); document.write( "where(h,k) is the vertex and x = h is the Line of Symmetry
\n" ); document.write( "Why does the x^2 coefficient of the equation of a parabola determine the direction it opens...
\n" ); document.write( "As the value of the 'squared' term (which is always positve) ->infinity,
\n" ); document.write( "that coefficient will determine which direction the parabloa heads (to +infinity or -infinity)\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Same Idea applies to a parabola open right or left
\n" ); document.write( "\"x=a%28y-k%29%5E2+%2Bh\",the vertex form of a Parabola opening right(a>0) or left(a<0),
\n" ); document.write( " where(h,k) is the vertex and y = k is the Line of Symmetry
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