Question

How do you find the axis of symmetry, and the maximum or minimum value of the function `y=x^2-1`?

Answer 1

Axis of symmetry is `x=0`
Vertex at `(x,y)->(0,-1)`

Explanation:

Standard form equation:`y=ax^2+bx+c`

There is no `bx` term so the axis of symmetry is at `x=0`

If the equation had just been `y=x^2` the vertex would have been at `(x,y)->(0,0)` but the constant of -1 has dropped this to

`(x,y) -> (0,-1)`