How do you graph #y= -1/4x^2# by plotting points?

1 Answer
Alan N.
May 20, 2017

See explanation below.

Explanation:

#y# is a parabola with a critical point at #(0,0)#

Since the coefficient of #x^2# is negative #y# has a single maximum value.

Hence, #(0,0)# is an absolute maximum.
and, #y# has no other intercepts on the #x# or #y# axes.

To assist plotting #y# by points it will be necessary to construct a table of points, bearing in mind that #y# is symetric about the #y# axis.
E.g. #(-4,-4), (-2,-1), (0,0), (2,-1), (-4,-4)#

This can be seen from the graph of #y# below: graph{-1/4x^2 [-11.01, 11.49, -8.865, 2.385]}

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