what is the role of a in the quadratic formula?

Question

• what is the role of 2 in the f(x)=2x^₂+ 4x + 2

Answer 1

a will tell you if the parabola is opening upwards or downwards, if a>0 it opens upwards and if a<0 opens downwards. In this case it opens upwards.

Answer 2

f(x)=2x^2+4x+2

 

     2(x^2+2x+1)

 

     2(x+1)^2