Question

I don't understand this problem. I would love it if someone could explain this to me! Thank you!

Answer 1

The answer is D it stretches the graph by a factor of 4. this is due to multiply by 1/4 when plugging in an x value. ie:

1/4(1)^2= 1/4
1/4(2)^2 = 1

now y=x^2

(1)^2=1
(2)^2=4 

so the y value goes up faster which makes a steeper slope aka less wide
when y=x^2 

If y=1/4x^2 then the y values go up less than just x^2 by factor of 1/4 making the slope less steep and opening off parabola to be wider.

try graphing y=x^2 and y=1/4x^2 on your graphing calculator and see the difference I am talking about,

Hope this helps. Any questions please ask! Thank you!