How do you find the axis of symmetry, graph and find the maximum or minimum value of the function #y= 1/20 x^2#?

1 Answer
Jan 2, 2018

Axis of symmetry: #x=0# i.e the #y-#axis
#y_min = 0#

Explanation:

#y=1/20x^2#

The graph of #y# is a parabola, of the form: #ax^2+bx+c#
Where: #a=1/20, b=c=0#

The axis of symmetry of #y# will occur where: #x=-b/(2a)#

#:. # Axis of symmetry is where: #x=0# i.e the #y-#axis

Since, #a>0 -> y# will have a minimum value

The minimum value of #y =y_min# will lie on the axis of symmetry.

Hence, #y_min= 1/20*0^2 = 0#

We can see these results from the graph of #y# below:

graph{1/20x^2 [-10, 10, -5, 5]}