Question 127398:  Identify the axis of symmetry, create a suitable table of values, then sketch the graph (including the axis of symmetry).  y=X^2-4x 
Please assist me with this answer, and show me the proper graph and table.
 
Thanks 
 Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! To find the axis of symmetry, use this formula:
 
 
 
 
 
From the equation   we can see that a=1 and b=-4
 
 
  Plug in b=-4 and a=1
 
 
 
  Negate -4 to get 4
 
 
 
  Multiply 2 and 1 to get 2
 
 
 
 
  Reduce
 
 
 
So the axis of symmetry is   
 
 
 
So the x-coordinate of the vertex is  . Lets plug this into the equation to find the y-coordinate of the vertex.
 
 
 
Lets evaluate  
 
 
  Start with the given polynomial
 
 
 
  Plug in  
 
 
 
  Raise 2 to the second power to get 4
 
 
 
  Now combine like terms
 
 
 
So the vertex is (2,-4)
 
 
 
Since the x-coordinate is 2, this means the axis of symmetry is  
 
 
Now lets find 2 other points to the left of the vertex
 
 
 
Lets evaluate  
 
 
  Start with the given polynomial
 
 
 
  Plug in  
 
 
 
  Raise 0 to the second power to get 0
 
 
 
  Multiply 4 by 0 to get 0
 
 
 
  Remove any zero terms
 
 
 
So our 1st point is (0,0)
 
 
 
 
----Now lets find another point----
 
 
 
 
Lets evaluate  
 
 
  Start with the given polynomial
 
 
 
  Plug in  
 
 
 
  Raise 1 to the second power to get 1
 
 
 
  Multiply 4 by 1 to get 4
 
 
 
  Now combine like terms
 
 
 
So our 2nd point is (1,-3)
 
 
 
Now remember, the parabola is symmetrical about the axis of symmetry (which is  )
 
This means the y-value for   is equal to the y-value of  . So when  ,  .
 
Also, the y-value for   is equal to the y-value of  . So when  ,  .
 
 
 
Now lets make a table of the values we have calculated
 
 
 
 
Now plot the points 
 
 
 
 
Now connect the points to graph  . Also, to draw the axis of symmetry, simply draw a vertical line through the vertex
 
  Graph of   (red) and the axis of symmetry (blue) 
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