Question

Which of the quadratic functions has the widest graph?

A. y = –4x2

B. y = 0.3x2

Answer 1

Explanation:

A vertical stretching is the stretching of the graph away from the x-axis.

A vertical compression is the squeezing of the graph towards the x-axis.

A compression is a stretch by a factor less than 1.

For the parent function y = f(x), the vertical stretching or compression of the function is a f(x).

If | a | < 1 (a fraction between 0 and 1), then the graph is compressed vertically by a factor of a units.

If | a | > 1, then the graph is stretched vertically by a factor of a units.

For values of a that are negative, then the vertical compression or vertical stretching of the graph is followed by a reflection across the x-axis.

Thus, the equation with the widest graph is 0.3x^2.

Answer 2

I would say ‘B’ is your correct answer because ‘A’ is going to end up as a negative number. So you want the positive number. BUT, I’m not sure which one it could be because the question talking about a graph and what has the widest graph.