16Hit1600
Advanced MathEasyChoosing the graph shape of a quadratic

Advanced Math practice question

In the xy-plane, the graph of y = x² + 2 has which of the following shapes?

  1. A. A U-shaped curve with its lowest point at (0, 2)Correct
  2. B. A straight line through (0, 2)
  3. C. A U-shaped curve with its lowest point at (2, 0)
  4. D. A curve that never rises above y = 2

Answer: A. A U-shaped curve with its lowest point at (0, 2)

x² is at least 0, so y is at least 2, reached at x = 0.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. A straight line through (0, 2)
A squared term does not give a straight line.
C. A U-shaped curve with its lowest point at (2, 0)
The lowest point is at x = 0, not x = 2.
D. A curve that never rises above y = 2
y grows without bound as x moves away from 0.

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