A quadratic equation has the general form of:
y=ax² + bx + c
It can be converted to the vertex form in order to determine the vertex of the parabola. It has the standard form of:
y = a(x+h)² - k
This can be done by completing a square. The steps are as follows:
y = 3x2 + 9x – 18
y = 3(x2 + 3x) – 18
y + 27/4= 3(x2 + 3x+ 9/4) – 18
y = 3(x2 + 3/2)^2 – 99/4
Therefore, the first step is to group terms with the variable x and factoring out the coefficient of x^2.