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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 x 2 term is positive, the vertex will be the lowest point on the graph, the point at the bottom of the " U "-shape.  If the coefficient of the x two term is negative, the vertex will exist the highest point on the graph, the point at the top of the " U "-shape.

The standard equation of a parabola is

y = a 10 2 + b x + c .

But the equation for a parabola tin can also be written in "vertex grade":

y = a ( ten h ) two + k

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

You can come across how this relates to the standard equation past multiplying it out:

y = a ( x h ) ( x h ) + yard y = a x 2 2 a h x + a h 2 + k .

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

Example:

Find the vertex of the parabola.

y = three x 2 + 12 x 12

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

12 2 ( 3 ) = 2

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

y = iii ( 2 ) 2 + 12 ( 2 ) 12 = 24

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