Question 66338
Complete the square as an aid in graphing : 
y = x^2 + 2x - 1
---------
x^2+2x+? = y+1+?
Complete the square to get:
x^2+2x+1=y+1+1
Factor the left side to get:
(x+1)^2 = y+2
Solve for y, as follows:
y=(x+1)^2-2
Cheers,
Stan H.