In the equation:
![y=-3x^2-12x-8](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/odnue6dgio30e3lyxop7ow48qo1kyl42vf.png)
the leading coefficient, a, is equal to -3. Given that a is less than zero, then the parabola has the shape of a ∩. Therefore, it has a maximum.
To find the maximum, we need to find the vertex (h, k) of the parabola.
The x-coordinate, h, is found as follows:
![\begin{gathered} h=(-b)/(2a) \\ h=(-(-12))/(2\cdot(-3)) \\ h=(12)/((-6)) \\ h=-2 \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/3uwxolylj9ysfyd7nplhltn1vbnrf96alc.png)
The y-coordinate, k, is found substituting the value of h into the equation of the parabola, as follows:
![\begin{gathered} k=-3h^2-12h-8 \\ k=-3\cdot(-2)^2-12\cdot(-2)-8 \\ k=-3\cdot4+24-8 \\ k=4 \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/cexcw7dvaiwe4l7q3z7fgwahp3dhdmcg4y.png)
Then, the maximum is placed at (-2, 4)