Question

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

Answer 1

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.

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.