Question 704340:  Can someone please help me understand this question? I would like to know the process of how you come to the answers as I have a test tomorrow! 
y=-2(x-3)^2+8 
a)State the coordinates of the vertex 
b)State whether is has a max or min value and what that is? 
c)State the equation of the axis of symmetry 
d)State the y-intercept. 
If you could show me how you reach each answer..that would be amazing! 
Thank you 
 Answer by nerdybill(7384)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! y=-2(x-3)^2+8 
a)State the coordinates of the vertex 
You have to remember the "vertex form" of a quadratic: 
y = a(x-h)^2 + k 
where (h,k) is the vertex 
since your equation was: 
y=-2(x-3)^2+8 
we immediately can see that the vertex is at: 
(h,k) = (3,8) 
b)State whether is has a max or min value and what that is? 
We can tell by the "coefficient" associated with the x^2 term: 
y=-2(x-3)^2+8 
expanding the above: 
y=-2(x^2-6x+9)+8 
y=-2x^2+12x-18+8 
y=-2x^2+12x-10 
Since it will be "negative" -- we conclude that it will be a parabola that opens downwards.  Thus the vertex will be the MAX. 
Note: do part c first, then come back to this 
c)State the equation of the axis of symmetry 
axis of symmetry is at: 
x = -b/(2a) 
x = -12/(2(-2)) 
x = -12/(-4) 
x = 3 (axis of symmetry) 
d)State the y-intercept. 
set x to zero: 
y=-2x^2+12x-10 
y=-2(0)^2+12(0)-10 
y=0+0-10 
y = -10 
y-intercept is at (0, -10) 
 
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