Question

Can someone help me with this question and help me find out what the "a" does in the problem y=a(x-h)^(2)+k

Answer 1

See below (and attached file)

Explanation:

The value of
`a` in the equation
`y=a(x-h)^2+k` represents how much a vertical parabola will stretch or compress, as well as whether it opens upward or downward:

If
`0<|a|<1`, it is a horizontal stretch

If
`|a|>1`, it is a horizontal compression

If
`a<0`, the parabola opens downward

If
`a>0`, the parabola opens upward

The file attached shows a graph with different examples of what happens to a parabola when the value of
`a` changes.