Big Ideas Math Algebra 1 A Bridge to Success
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Big Ideas Math Algebra 1 A Bridge to Success View details
1. Graphing f(x) = ax^23
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Exercise 10 Page 423

Make a table to find points on the curve. Then plot and connect the points.

Graph:

Comparison to the graph of f(x)=x^2: There is a vertical stretch by a factor of 92 followed by a reflection in the x-axis of the graph of f.

Practice makes perfect

To graph the function we will make a table of values.

x - 9/2 x^2 q(x)=- 9/2 x^2
- 4/3 - 9/2( - 4/3)^2 - 8
- 1 - 9/2( - 1)^2 - 4.5
0 - 9/2( 0)^2 0
1 - 9/2( 1)^2 - 4.5
4/3 - 9/2( 4/3)^2 - 8

Let's now draw the parabola that connects the obtained points. We will also draw the parent function f(x)=x^2.

From the graph above, we can note the following.

  • The graph of the given function opens down, and the graph of the parent function opens up.
  • Both graphs have the same axis of symmetry x=0.
  • The graph of the given function is narrower than the graph of the parent function.
  • Both graphs have the same vertex (0,0).

From the graph and the observations above, we can conclude that the graph of q is a vertical stretch by a factor of 92 and the reflection in the x-axis of the graph of f.