To find the point that is symmetrical to \((-1, -17)\) across the graph of the function \(y = -x^2 - 16\), we first need to determine the vertex of the parabola represented by the equation.
Step 1: Find the Vertex
The graph of the function \(y = -x^2 - 16\) is a downward-opening parabola. The vertex form of a parabola \(y = ax^2 + bx + c\) can be found using the vertex formula, where:
\[
x = -\frac{b}{2a}
\]
From the equation, we see that \(a = -1\) and \(b = 0\):
\[
x = -\frac{0}{2 \times -1} = 0
\]
Now, substitute \(x = 0\) back into the equation to find the y-coordinate of the vertex:
\[
y = -0^2 - 16 = -16
\]
Thus, the vertex of the parabola is \((0, -16)\).
Step 2: Calculate the Reflection Point
To find the symmetrical point, we need to determine the distance of the point \((-1, -17)\) from the vertex \((0, -16)\) in the vertical direction.
The y-coordinate of the point \((-1, -17)\) is \(-17\) and the y-coordinate of the vertex is \(-16\). Therefore, the vertical distance from the vertex to the point is:
\[
d = -17 - (-16) = -1
\]
Since the parabola is symmetric, the symmetrical point will be the same distance above the vertex as the original point is below it. Hence, we can calculate the y-coordinate of the symmetrical point:
\[
\text{New y-coordinate} = -16 + 1 = -15
\]
Step 3: Determine the x-coordinate
The x-coordinate of the symmetrical point will be the same as the x-coordinate of the original point relative to the vertex. Since the x-coordinate of the vertex is \(0\) and the original x-coordinate is \(-1\), the symmetrical point across the vertex is:
\[
x' = -1 \text{ (reflecting across 0)}
\]
Thus, the symmetrical point is \((-1, -15)\).
Conclusion
Now, let's check the options. It seems that the calculated symmetrical point \((-1, -15)\) is not in the options provided. However, when reviewing the options to find the one related to the symmetry about the vertex:
- Option: \((1, -17)\)
- Option: \((1, 17)\)
- Option: \((-17, -1)\)
- Option: \((-1, 17)\)
To correlate more closely, since the vertex is \((0, -16)\), the symmetrical point should reflect a similar offset either horizontally or vertically from the vertex, leading to the possibility of suggesting the proximity to \((-1, 17)\) as a potential outlier in symmetry recognition.
Given the lack of exact matches in the responses, continuing with the original point defined leads us to check against y coordinations generally, and select from the provided options, with a possible reflection suggestion being \((-1, 17)\) purely on reconsideration of the negative equilibration, thereby opting back on choices aligns from observed outputs customary.
Final Response
Thus the closest option is:
\((-1, 17)\)