Question

Find the axis of symmetry for this parabola: y= -x^2-2x-5

Answer 1

Given the equation of parabola: y = -x² - 2x - 5

y = ax² + bx + c and negative value of 'a' tell us that it is a downward open parabola whose axis of symmetry would be x = k.

where k is the x-coordinate of vertex of given parabola.

Finding the vertex of parabola, x = $\frac{-b}{2a} =\frac{-(-2)}{2(-1)} =\frac{2}{-2} =-1$

So, the axis of symmetry for this parabola is x = -1.