How do you graph the parabola #y=(x-3)^2 +5# using vertex, intercepts?

1 Answer
Aug 8, 2017

Since the parabola is in the form of:

#y = a(x-h) + k#

The entire parabola translates 3 units to the right and 5 units up. Therefore #(3, 5)# is the vertex (minimum turning point). Because the minimum point is shifted up by 5, he graph does not 'touch' the #x#-axis. Therefore, no #x#-intercepts can be determined on a real plane.

However, we can determine the #y#-intercept by substituting in #x=0# into the original equation.

#y = (0-3)^2 + 5#

#y = 9 + 5#

#y = 14#

Therefore the y-intercept is #(0, 14)#

Plot the points #(0, 14)# and #(3, 5)# on the Cartesian plane, connect the points in a parabolic form, and you have your graph.

graph{y = (x-3)^2 + 5 [-14.24, 14.24, -7.12, 7.12]}