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The Vertex of a Parabola

The vertex of a parabola is the point where the parabola crosses its axis of symmetry.   If the coefficient of the ten ii term is positive, the vertex will be the lowest bespeak on the graph, the point at the lesser of the " U "-shape.  If the coefficient of the x 2 term is negative, the vertex will be the highest indicate on the graph, the betoken at the top of the " U "-shape.

The standard equation of a parabola is

y = a x 2 + b 10 + c .

But the equation for a parabola can too be written in "vertex form":

y = a ( x h ) ii + g

In this equation, the vertex of the parabola is the point ( h , k ) .

You can see how this relates to the standard equation by multiplying it out:

y = a ( x h ) ( x h ) + chiliad y = a 10 2 two a h x + a h 2 + k .

This ways that in the standard form, y = a x 2 + b x + c , the expression b 2 a gives the x -coordinate of the vertex.

Example:

Find the vertex of the parabola.

y = 3 x 2 + 12 ten 12

Here, a = 3 and b = 12 . So, the x -coordinate of the vertex is:

12 2 ( 3 ) = ii

Substituting in the original equation to get the y -coordinate, we get:

y = three ( 2 ) two + 12 ( ii ) 12 = 24

So, the vertex of the parabola is at ( 2 , 24 ) .