To graph the , we first need to identify the and the .
f(x)=a(x−h)2
In this form, the axis of symmetry of the parabola is the
x=h and the vertex is the point
(h,0). Now consider the given function.
q(x)=6(x+2)2⇔q(x)=6(x−(-2))2
We can see that
a=6 and
h=-2. Therefore, the vertex is
(-2,0), and the axis of symmetry is
x=-2. To graph the function we need to find two more points on the graph. Let's choose two
x-values less than the
x-coordinate of the vertex and make a table of values.
x
|
6(x+2)2
|
q(x)=6(x+2)2
|
-3
|
6(-3+2)2
|
6
|
-4
|
6(-4+2)2
|
24
|
Let's now plot the vertex and draw the axis of symmetry on a . We will also plot and reflect the obtained points across the axis of symmetry.
Let's draw a smooth curve that connects the five points. We will also draw the f(x)=x2.
From the graph above, we can note the following.
- Both graphs open up.
- The graph of q(x)=6(x+2)2 is narrower than the graph of f(x)=x2.
- The axis of symmetry of the parent function is the y-axis. The axis of symmetry of the given function is x=-2.
- The vertex of the given function, (-2,0), is to the left of the vertex of the parent function, (0,0).
From the graph and the observations above, we can conclude that the graph of q is a by a factor of 6 and a horizontal left 2 units of the graph of f.