something noteworthy is that the independent and squared variable in this case will be the "x", namely the graph of that quadratic is a vertical parabola.
so the parabola has solutions at x = -2 and x = 4, and its vertex will be half-way between those two guys, namely at x = 1.
since this is a vertical parabola, its axis of symmetry, the line that splits its into twin sides, will be a vertical line, and it'll be the x-coordinate of the vertex, since the vertex hasa a coordinate of x = 1, then the axis of symmetry is the vertical line of x = 1.