Parabola Axis of Symmetry: Example 8

Topic

Quadratics

Description

The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that passes through the vertex of a parabola, dividing it into two mirror-image halves. For a quadratic function in the form f(x) = ax² + bx + c, the axis of symmetry can be calculated using the formula x = -b / (2a), where 'a' and 'b' are the coefficients of the quadratic equation.

This example shows the quadratic function f(x) = -6x² - 12x + 3. To find the axis of symmetry, we apply x = -b / (2a). Here, a = -6 and b = -12. Substituting these values, we get x = -1. Therefore, the axis of symmetry is x = -1. This vertical line divides the parabola into two congruent halves and passes through its vertex, which is the maximum point since the parabola opens downward (a is negative).

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