how do you graph: y = x^2 + a ?

Answer 1

y=x^2 is a simple graph; a parabola in the 1st and 4th quadrants. The unkown (a) will simply shift the parabola to the left or right of 0. Define a and your set.

Answer 2

To draw this graph you have to know the shape of y=x^2 - it is a curved u shaped graph that is symmetrical about the y (vertical) axis.

The graph of x^2 goes through the origin (0,0) but the +a on the end of your graph means that the graph moves up a units so it will cross the y axis at 'a'.

Answer 3

First, let's ignore the "a" term and look at y = x^2.

When x = -2, y = 4
When x = -1, y = 1
When x = 0, y = 0
When x = 1, y = 1
When x = 2, y = 4

So what happens when y = x^2 + a?
Basically, the whole graph moves up by "a".

When x = -2, y = 4 + a
When x = -1, y = 1 + a
When x = 0, y = 0 + a
When x = 1, y = 1 + a
When x = 2, y = 4 + a

Hope that clarifies things to your satisfaction!

Answer 4

the graph of y= x^2 + a is a family of parabolas the +a will either raise or lower the parabola along the y-axis by exactly that value. so if a = -2 then the parabola intercepts the y-axis at (0,-2)

Answer 5

Graph y = x^2 first, and then move the graph vertically by "a" units.

Answer 6

It is a parabola that intersects the y-axis at a.

Answer 7

I dont im not in school anymore

Answer 8

uhh wat??!?!?! loll