16Hit1600
Advanced MathEasy–MediumIdentifying a parabola from its vertex and direction

Advanced Math practice question

Which of the following equations has a graph in the xy-plane that is a parabola with vertex (−1, 4) opening upward?

  1. A. y = (x + 1)² + 4Correct
  2. B. y = (x − 1)² + 4
  3. C. y = −(x + 1)² + 4
  4. D. y = (x + 1)² − 4

Answer: A. y = (x + 1)² + 4

Vertex form y = a(x − h)² + k with (h, k) = (−1, 4) and a > 0: y = (x + 1)² + 4.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. y = (x − 1)² + 4
(x − 1)² puts the vertex at x = 1.
C. y = −(x + 1)² + 4
The negative sign makes it open downward.
D. y = (x + 1)² − 4
−4 puts the vertex at y = −4.

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