Question

If the axis of symmetry of the parabola given by the equation is x=p, then what is the value of p ? y=-(x+5)^(2)+1

Answer 1

Answer: -5

Explanation:

To solve this problem, you need understand what the axis of symmetry is. The axis of symmetry is the imaginary line that vertically splits a parabola into 2 equal parts. It can be found by plugging in the b and a values into the equation x=
`(-b)/(2a)`. This equation is the same method used to find the x-value of the vertex.

You have been given your equation in vertex form [
`a(x-h)^(2)` + k], where h is the x coordinate of the vertex and k is the y coordinate of the vertex, rather than the usual quadratic format
`ax^(2) +b+c`.

In this case, h and p are the same thing, so you have the x- coordinate of the vertex (-5), which is also the axis of symmetry!