Question

Suppose y = – 3x2 – 15x – 11 was written in the form y = a(x – h)2 + k.

What is the value of a?

a) = -5

b) a= -3

c) a = 5

d) a = -11

Answer 1

b) -3

Explanation:

You want the value of 'a' when the quadratic y = –3x² – 15x – 11 is written in the form y = a(x – h)² + k.

Leading coefficient

The leading coefficient in either form is the coefficient of x². It is the same in both forms: -3.