Question 147536
Here's an easy solution, step by step, no formulas involved:  the x-intercept is whatever x is when y is zero.  factor the original equation by taking out negative one and then factoring {{{-(x-1)(x-1)}}}.  Set it equal to zero.  Then solve for each expression individually to equal zero.  What minus 1 equals zero? You should have gotten 1 for both.  That means the x-intercept is 1.  There is only one x-intercept because you got the same solution for x in both expressions.  Since there is only 1, it lies on the x-axis.


**Just in case you're wondering whether the parabola opens up or down, it opens down.  Whenever {{{x^2}}} is positive, it moves up, and vice versa.  Think of it this way: If your {{{x^2}}} is positive, then y wants to be positive too, so it moves upward.  If your {{{x^2}}} is negative, then y wants to be negative too, so it moves downward.**