How can the graph of f(x)=1/2(x+10)^2-2 be obtained from the graph of y=x^2

1 answer

They are both parabolas that "open up" in the +y direction, but the vertices are in different places. y = x^2 has a vertex (minimum) at (0,0), and the other function has a vertex at (-10,-2)

The y = x^2 function opens up more slowly, which means it is narrower at a given distance above the vertex.