SOLUTION: How does the value of the variable a affect the direction of the parabola opens? I think this is the right answer but I'm not sure. If the value is negative, it opens downwar

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: How does the value of the variable a affect the direction of the parabola opens? I think this is the right answer but I'm not sure. If the value is negative, it opens downwar      Log On


   

Question 150461: How does the value of the variable a affect the direction of the parabola opens?
I think this is the right answer but I'm not sure.
If the value is negative, it opens downward.
If the value is positive, it opens upward.
Or does it have no affect?
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Also...
How does the value of variable a affect the width of the parabola?
I think this is the answer but I don't know.
The value does not affect the width of the parabola
Or is it
The closer or further to the 0 the more wider/narrow it gets?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a>0
+graph%28+300%2C+200%2C+-5%2C+5%2C+-10%2C+10%2C+%28x-2%29%5E2%2B2%29+
a<0
+graph%28+300%2C+200%2C+-5%2C+5%2C+-10%2C+10%2C+-%28x-2%29%5E2%2B2%29+
.
.
.
.
a=1 (red, wide),2 (green, narrower),3 (blue, narrowest)
+graph%28+300%2C+200%2C+-5%2C+5%2C+-10%2C+10%2C+x%5E2%2C+2x%5E2%2C+3x%5E2%29+