What are the vertex and axis of symmetry of the equation y=2x^2+16x-12

Question

It's an algebra 2 mathmatics question its for a my homework. I'm having truoble with this lesson and the teacher doesn't explain it well enough for me.

Answer 1

Hi Lauryn,

 

Please respond and let me know if this helps you and if you can get the answers.

 

First identify the coefficents a, b and c.

a=2

b=16

c=-12

 

What is the axis of symmetry and how do you calculate it from the equation:

The axis of symmetry is the center (or the middle) of the graph of the quadratic equation.

Use the equation -b/2a to calculate it.  This is the x-coordinate of the vertex.

 

The vertex is either the maximum or minimum of the graph of the quadratic equation.  

 

Plug in the x-coordinate you calculated in the Axis of symmetry, into the original equation and you have the y-coordinate of the vertex.

 

Does that make sense?

 

What values did you get for X and Y?

 

Best regards.

 

Bob

 

Answer 2

The axis of symmetry is the value of x: x=c. What this means, Lauryn, is that if you were to vertically fold the paper that you drew the graph of the function 2x²+16x-12 right at the x value that we'll soon find, one side of the graph would be right on top of the other.

Now, this is Algebra II question and the way to find out that I know of is to draw the graph and find out the smallest y value which is x=-4.

I hope this helps