Can you explain to me what job and what each varibale stands for in the function y=a(x-h)2+k?

Answer 1

it is the standard equation of a parabola for finding the vertex,axis of symmetry

Answer 2

The y value is your dependent variable which describes the RANGE of values for the equation. The x variable is the independent variable which describes the DOMAIN of values for the equation.

The letter h, is a de facto letter always associated with the x variable and is the measure of the amount of translation the x value will be offset either to the right or left. The variable k, is also the de facto letter always associated with the variable y is the measure of vertical translation. In your particular equation, the x-h, indicate offset or translated to the right. And the + k, which in the equation can be rewritten as y - k = a(x-h)2, then the curve is offset upwards.

Since your x variable is squared, then the equation is a quadratic equation and the curve of the equation is parabolic. Moreover, the equation given is in VERTEX form, which means you can easily find the vertex of the parabola with the coordiantes, (h, k). In contrast, the general quadratic form is ax2 +bx +c = 0

Answer 3

If 2 means squared, its a parabola. h and k are the x and y coordinate of the vertex. a is the distance from the vertex to the focus. Assuming that a is positive, then the parabola opens upward

Answer 4

It's an equation for a parabola.: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parabola