Final answer:
To find the axis of symmetry for the quadratic function y = (x - 1)² - 4, observe its vertex form, where the axis of symmetry is x = h. In this case, h is 1, so the axis of symmetry is the line x = 1.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question at hand involves finding the axis of symmetry of a quadratic function.
The general form of a quadratic equation is y = ax² + bx + c. The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola. The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that divides the parabola into two mirror-image halves. For the quadratic function in vertex form, y = (x - h)² + k, the axis of symmetry is x = h.
In the given function y = (x - 1)² - 4, it is already in vertex form, so identifying the axis of symmetry is straightforward. The value of h is 1, thus the axis of symmetry is the line x = 1.