Question

Describe how the graph of y = -x^2 + 1 differs from
y = x^2. Then find the axis of symmetry and the
vertex.

Answer 1

-x^2 goes down as x gets big plus or - , so the y-1 = x^2 is upside down from the y = x^2 curve (sheds water instead of holding water).
the vertex of y = x^2 is at (0,0) so the vertex of y-1 = -x^2 is at (0,1)
-x^2 is the same both sides of the y axis so the y axis is the axis of symmetry.