What causes parabolas to expand and contract?

1 Answer
Jun 24, 2018

The coefficient of x^2 affects expansion and contraction. See explanation.

Explanation:

In the graph y=ax^2, if a > 1, the curve looks more "squeezed" and if 0 < a < 1, the curve looks more "expanded".

y=x^2
graph{x^2 [-10.17, 9.83, -1.04, 8.96]}
y=5x^2
graph{5x^2 [-10.25, 9.75, -0.48, 9.52]}
y=1/5x^2
graph{1/5x^2 [-10.29, 9.71, 0.08, 10.08]}

P.S. Sorry if this isn't the answer you were talking for.