Question 478267
  <pre><font face = "Tohoma" size = 4 color = "indigo"><b> 
Hi,
find the vertex, axis of symmetry, and direction of the opening of the parabola 
Putting into vertex form
the vertex form of a parabola opening right or left, {{{x=a(y-k)^2 +h}}} where(h,k) is the vertex.
1. y^2=-8x 
  (-1/8)y^2 = x   Vertex (0,0), a = (-1/8)<0 opens to the left along x-axis
2. (y-8)^2=-4(x-4)
 (1/4)(y-8)^2 +4 = x  Vertex(4,8) a = (-1/4) opens left along y = 8

{{{drawing(300,300,   -10,10,-10,10, grid(1),
circle(4, 8,0.4),
graph( 300, 300, -10,10,-10,10,0,8,sqrt(-8x),-sqrt(-8x), 2sqrt(4-x)+8,-2sqrt(4-x)+8 ))}}}