What is the equation of the parabola that has a vertex at (-5, -4) and passes through point (5,396) ?

1 Answer
Dec 24, 2015

y = 4x^2 +40x +96

Explanation:

The equation of a parabola, written in vertex form, is y = n(x - h)^2 +k where (h,k) are the coordinates of the vertex.
For this example then, y = n(x+5)^2 -4
To find n, we substitute in the coordinates of the given point.
396 = n(5 +5)^2 -4
400 = 100n
n = 4
Thus the equation is y = 4(x+5)^2 -4
or in standard form y = 4x^2 +40x +96