Vertex Form
Vertex Form
Graphing from a Table
A graph can also be made by making a table of values. Start by finding the vertex as before. Then, because a parabola is symmetric, find a couple of values on either side of the vertex. Plot the points.
Example Graph y = (x - 2)2 - 3 by making a table of ordered pairs.
Step 1. Find the vertex.
For this equation, the vertex is (2, -3).
Step 2. Make a table. Put the vertex in the middle and pick 2 x-values on each side of the vertex.
x | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
y | -3 |