Question

On the set of axes below, draw the graph of y=x²-4x-1

State the equation of the axis of symmetry.

Answer 1

See below

Explanation:

Best way to do this is to convert the equation to vertex form and that will tell you several points you can graph:

`y=x^2-4x-1\\y+5=x^2-4x-1+5\\y+5=x^2-4x+4\\y+5=(x-2)^2\\y=(x-2)^2-5`

Here, we can see that the vertex of the parabola is (2,-5) and that the axis of symmetry is x=2. You can also quickly get the y-intercept since plugging in x=0 gets you (0,-1). Finding a few more points should be pretty simple from here on out since your equation is more condensed.