Question

How do I find the vertex of `y=(x+7)^2`?

Answer 1

The equation is in vertex form (`y = a(x-h)^2 + k`) where the vertex is (h, k). Since the original form has you subtracting h, h more than likely has an opposite sign then what is in the equation. In the example, 7 is being added so therefore h = - 7. Since nothing is being added to the equation, k = 0. Therefore the vertex of `y = (x +7)^2` is `(-7, 0)`.

Here are some other examples to help you:

`y = -2 (x - 4)^2 - 3` has h = 4 and k= -3, so the vertex is `(4,-3)`.

`y = 4(x + 1)^2 + 5` has h = -1 and k = 5, so the vertex is `(-1,5)`.