Final answer:
The axis of symmetry for the quadratic equation y = -2(x+2)² + 4 is the line x = -2, and the parabola opens downwards indicating a maximum at the vertex.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about a quadratic equation in vertex form, specifically related to its axis of symmetry. Given the quadratic equation y = -2(x+2)² + 4, the vertex form indicates that the axis of symmetry is the vertical line that passes through the vertex of the parabola. Since the vertex given in the problem is at (-2,4), the axis of symmetry would be the line x = -2. Furthermore, the coefficient of the squared term, which is -2, tells us that the parabola opens downwards, suggesting the vertex is a maximum point.