Question

What is the answer? up or down?

Answer 1

Coefficient of x i.e a is negative so parabola will open downwards

Graph attached

Answer 2

What direction will the parabola open?

$\sf \longrightarrow \: y = - {1x}^{2} + 3x + 9$

• The parabola will open in Downward direction.

How??

• Remember that when the coefficient of x² is negative the parabola opens in downward direction.
• When the coefficient of x² is positive the parabola opens in upward direction.