Question

How do you find the vertex and axis of symmetry for `y = -x^2 - 10x`?

Answer 1

Vertex (-5,25)
Axis of symmetry x= -5

Explanation:

To find the vertex and the axis of symmetry, the equation has to be written so that x terms form a perfect square:

`y= -(x^2 +10x +25) +25`

=-`(x+5)^2 +25`

This gives the vertex as (-5,25) and the axis of symmetry x=-5.