Question

The parabola passes through coordinates left parenthesis negative 8 comma negative 6 right parenthesis, left parenthesis negative 6 comma 6 right parenthesis, left parenthesis negative 4 comma 10 right parenthesis, left parenthesis negative 2 comma 6 right parenthesis, and left parenthesis 0 comma negative 6 right parenthesis.

Determine whether the a-value is positive or negative. Provide an appropriate reason.

(1 point)

The a-value is negative because the x-intercepts are negative.

The a-value is positive because the graph is of a parabola that opens up.

The a-value is negative because the y-intercept is negative.

The a-value is negative because the graph is of a parabola that opens down.

Answer 1

The a-value is negative because the parabola opens down — the point (-4, 10) is a maximum (y decreases on either side), so the parabola opens downward (a < 0).