Write the function as
f(x) = x² + 6x - 4
Note that
x² + 6x = (x + 3)² - 9
Therefore
f(x) = (x 3)² - 9 - 4
= (x + 3)² - 13
The vertex is at (-3, -13)., and the curve opens upward.
The axis of symmetry is x = -3.
Answer:
The vertex of the function is (-3, 13).
The graph increases over the interval (-3, -∞)