Advanced MathEasyParabola that opens downward
Advanced Math practice question
In the xy-plane, the graph of y = x² opens upward. Which of the following equations has a graph that opens downward?
- A. y = −x²Correct
- B. y = x² + 1
- C. y = 2x²
- D. y = (x − 1)²
Answer: A. y = −x²
A negative coefficient on x² flips the parabola to open downward.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. y = x² + 1
- Adding 1 shifts the graph up; it still opens upward.
- C. y = 2x²
- A positive 2 keeps it opening upward, just narrower.
- D. y = (x − 1)²
- Shifting right does not change the direction.
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