Question

In the quadratic function f(x) = ax^2 + c, what transformation occurs to the parent function when "a" is negative? *

Answer 1

The parabola will reflect over the x axis.

Step-by-step explanation:

By setting the "a" value to a negative number, you will be inverting the f(x) values, in other words making a parabola open downwards, or a direct reflection over the x axis of the parent formula.

Take f(x)=1x^{2}+0 for example.

if we plug in 1 for x f(x) will equal 1

however if we make the a value negative

f(x)= -1x^{2}+0

and set x equal to 1,

you should see that f(x) is now -1