Question

How do you graph `y=x^2-2x+2`?

Answer 1

Set up a column for x and y (the expression). Calculate y for each x, then plot the points on graph paper.

Explanation:

Generating the points to plot is a necessary first step, whether you do it by hand, with a calculator, or a spreadsheet. Once you have a table of points they can be plotted on graph paper. Again, you can do that manually or with a spreadsheet or calculation/graphing software.

Sometimes recognizing the roots of the equation and whether it is opening up or down (in the case of quadratics like this one) can also be useful.