The vertex of a parabola is the point where the parabola crosses its axis of symmetry. If the coefficient of the x2 term is positive, the vertex will be the lowest point on the graph, the point at the bottom of the “ U ”-shape.
Where do you find the vertex?
We find the vertex of a quadratic equation with the following steps:
- Get the equation in the form y = ax2 + bx + c.
- Calculate -b / 2a. This is the x-coordinate of the vertex.
- To find the y-coordinate of the vertex, simply plug the value of -b / 2a into the equation for x and solve for y.
How can you find the vertex of a parabola?
To find the vertex of a parabola, you first need to find x (or y, if your parabola is sideways) through the formula for the axis of symmetry. Then, you'll use that value to solve for y (or x if your parabola opens to the side) by using the quadratic equation. Those two coordinates are your parabola's vertex.
