SOLUTION: Need help on this question. Kind of confused on what is being asked. Can you please show work on this to see how to do these problems. Thanks for your help! Find the vertex of

Algebra ->  Functions -> SOLUTION: Need help on this question. Kind of confused on what is being asked. Can you please show work on this to see how to do these problems. Thanks for your help! Find the vertex of       Log On


   

Question 932055: Need help on this question. Kind of confused on what is being asked. Can you please show work on this to see how to do these problems. Thanks for your help!
Find the vertex of the function f(x) = -2x^2 - 12x +- 28. You’ll need to put it in the form of f(x)= a(x – h)^2 + k. Explain how you use this to find the vertex and how to graph the equation of the quadratic. What does “a” tell you? Describe the graph.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Use Completing The Square to put the function into the standard form which you want. Use the lessons,

What does Completing The Square Mean?
http://www.algebra.com/my/Completing-the-Square-Using-Pictures.lesson?content_action=show_dev
and
Using Completing the Square to Solve Quadratic Equation
http://www.algebra.com/my/Completing-the-Square-to-Solve-General-Quadratic-Equation.lesson?content_action=show_dev

The factor "a" either stretches or shrinks the parabola vertically; and if a<0, forces the parabola to open downward and have a vertex as a maximum. Your given function will be such a form.