McGraw Hill Glencoe Algebra 2, 2012
MH
McGraw Hill Glencoe Algebra 2, 2012 View details
Standardized Test Practice

Exercise 9 Page 868

The axis of symmetry of the graph of a quadratic equation in standard form is the vertical line x = - b2a.

C

Practice makes perfect

We want to select the equation that has a graph that is symmetric about the y-axis. Note that all of the given equations are quadratic equations in standard form. y= ax^2 + bx+ c Let's recall the equation of the axis of symmetry of a parabola described by a quadratic equation in this form. x = - b/2 a We want to choose the equation which has a graph that is symmetric about the y-axis. In other words, we want to choose the equation that has an axis of symmetry at x=0. Let's find the value of b which gives us x=0.

- b/2a = 0
- b = 0
b = 0

Let's highlight the values of a, b, and c in each of the given equations to see which of them has b = 0.

Option Equation b ? = 0
A y = 1x^2+ 3x +( - 1) No
B y = - 1x^2+ 1x+ 0 No
C y= 6x^2 + 0x + 9 Yes
D y = 3x^2 +( - 3)x + 1 No

The only equation which has b equal to 0, and subsequently is symmetric about the y-axis, is option C.