Question

The vertex of this parabola is at (2, -4). When the y-value is -3, the x-value is -3. What is the coefficient of the squared term in the parabola's equation?

Answer 1

Answer:

The squared term is 1/25

Step-by-step explanation:

The parabola equation in the vertex form is

$y = a \times (x - h)^2 + k$

where point (h,k) is the vertex and a is the squared term. In this case h = 2 and k = -4. On the other hand, we know that y = -3 and x = -3 are in the parabola. Replacing these values in the formula gives

$-3 = a \times (-3 - 2)^2 - 4$

Solving for a

$-3 + 4 = a \times (-5)^2$

$1 = a \times 25$

$a = \frac{1}{25}$