Left graph: a = 1 (standard upward parabola). Middle graph: a = 0.25 (flattened upward parabola). Right graph: a = -1 (downward parabola).
The provided a-values are a = 1, a = 0.25, and a = -1. Let's analyze each one step by step:
1. a = 1:
For a = 1, the parabola is of the form
. This represents a standard upward-opening parabola.
2. a = 0.25:
For a = 0.25, the parabola is
. The positive, smaller magnitude of a flattens the parabola slightly compared to the standard form.
3. a = -1:
For a = -1, the parabola is
. The negative sign of a causes the parabola to open downward.
Therefore, the correct association is:
- Leftmost graph: a = 1
- Middle graph: a = 0.25
- Rightmost graph: a = -1
This step-by-step calculation explains the impact of each a-value on the form and orientation of the parabolic graphs.