Given:
![y=ax^2+bx+c\text{ and open downward.}]()
Required:
We need to find the value of a when the given parabola is open downward.
Step-by-step explanation:
The parabola equation is of the form
![y=ax^2+bx+c]()
The leading coefficient is a.
Recall that if the leading coefficient is greater than zero, the parabola opens upward, and if the leading coefficient is less than zero, the parabola opens downward.
![The\text{ given equation is open downward if a<0.}]()
Final answer:
![The\text{ given equation is open downward if a<0.}]()