16Hit1600
Advanced MathMediumHighest point of a downward parabola

Advanced Math practice question

In the xy-plane, the graph of y = −2(x + 1)² + 7 has its highest point at (a, b). What is the value of a + b?

Answer: 6

The vertex form gives the highest point (−1, 7), so a + b = 6.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 5
5 uses b = 7 − 2.
If you answered 8
8 uses a = 1, misreading the sign in (x + 1).
If you answered -8
−8 has both signs wrong.

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