The parabola

\[y=x^2\] is reflected across the
\[x\]-axis and then scaled vertically by a factor of

\[\dfrac{1}6\].
What is the equation of the new parabola?
\[y=\]

1 answer

Let's start with the original parabola given by the equation:

\[ y = x^2 \]

Step 1: Reflect Across the \(x\)-Axis

Reflecting this parabola across the \(x\)-axis changes the sign of \(y\). Therefore, the equation becomes:

\[ y = -x^2 \]

Step 2: Scale Vertically by a Factor of \(\frac{1}{6}\)

Now, we scale the new equation vertically by a factor of \(\frac{1}{6}\). This involves multiplying the entire equation by \(\frac{1}{6}\):

\[ y = \frac{1}{6}(-x^2) = -\frac{1}{6}x^2 \]

Final Equation

Thus, the equation of the new parabola after reflection across the \(x\)-axis and vertical scaling by a factor of \(\frac{1}{6}\) is:

\[ \boxed{-\frac{1}{6}x^2} \]