To find the axis of symmetry of a quadratic equation in the form \( y = ax^2 + bx + c \), the formula for the axis of symmetry is given by:
\[ x = -\frac{b}{2a} \]
In your equation \( y = -x^2 - 4x + 1 \), the coefficients are:
- \( a = -1 \)
- \( b = -4 \)
- \( c = 1 \)
Now, plug the values of \( a \) and \( b \) into the formula:
\[ x = -\frac{-4}{2 \cdot -1} = -\frac{4}{-2} = 2 \]
Therefore, the axis of symmetry is:
\[ x = 2 \]
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