Question

How do you sketch the graph of `y=-1/4x^2` and describe the transformation?

Answer 1

This is an equation of parabola.
Standard equation of a parabola with Y axis symmetry is given by
`(X-h)^2 = 4p(Y-k)`

Explanation:

Simply rearranging the terms from y= `-1/4 x^2`
you can get the standard equation of a parabola
as `4*(-1)(Y-k) = (x-0)^2`.
This is a downward opening parabola with negative Y axis as the axis of symmetry.
From the standard equation the co-ordinates of focus are (h,k+p).
So the focus of this parabola is (0,-1).
the vertex is (h,k) => vertex is (0,0)