How do I graph the quadratic equation #y=(x-1)^2# by plotting points?

1 Answer

Plotting ordered pairs is a very good place to start learning about the graphs of quadratics!

In this form, #(x - 1)^2#, I usually set the inside part of the binomial equal to 0: x - 1 = 0

When you solve that equation, it gives you the x-value of the vertex. This should be the "middle" value of your list of inputs so that you can be sure to get the symmetry of the graph well displayed.

Graph of a quadratic equation.

I used the Table feature of my calculator to help, but you can substitute the values in by yourself to get the ordered pairs:

for x = 0: #(0-1)^2=(-1)^2=1# therefore (0,1)
for x = -1: #(-1-1)^2= (-2)^2=4# therefore (-1,4)
for x = 2: #(2-1)^2=(1)^2=1# therefore (2,1)
and so on.