Parabola y=(x-p)² Practice Problems with Solutions

Master parabola transformations y=(x-p)² with step-by-step practice problems. Learn horizontal shifts, vertex identification, and graphing techniques.

📚What You'll Master in This Practice Session
  • Identify horizontal shifts in parabolas of the form y=(x-p)²
  • Determine vertex coordinates for transformed parabolas
  • Graph parabolas with horizontal translations step-by-step
  • Solve algebraically when y=0 for parabola intersections
  • Analyze how coefficient 'a' affects parabola steepness and opening
  • Convert between different forms of quadratic equations

Understanding Parabola of the Form y=(x-p)²

Complete explanation with examples

Family of Parabolas y=(xp)2y=(x-p)^2

In this family, we have a slightly different quadratic function that shows us, very clearly, how the parabola shifts horizontally.
PP indicates the number of steps the parabola will move horizontally, to the right or to the left.
If PP is positive: (there is a minus sign in the equation) - The parabola will move PP steps to the right.
If PP is negative: (and, consequently, there will be a plus sign in the equation since minus by minus equals plus) - The parabola will move PP steps to the left.

Let's see an example:
The function  Y=(X+2)2 Y=(X+2)^2

shifts two steps to the left.
Let's see it in an illustration:

1 - The function   Y=(X+2)^2


Detailed explanation

Practice Parabola of the Form y=(x-p)²

Test your knowledge with 11 quizzes

Find the descending area of the function

\( y=(x+5)^2 \)

Examples with solutions for Parabola of the Form y=(x-p)²

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

Find the intersection of the function

y=(x+4)2 y=(x+4)^2

With the Y

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we will find the intersection of the function with the Y-axis by following these steps:

  • Step 1: Recognize that the intersection with the Y-axis occurs where x=0 x = 0 .
  • Step 2: Substitute x=0 x = 0 into the function y=(x+4)2 y = (x+4)^2 .
  • Step 3: Perform the calculation to find the y-coordinate.

Now, let's solve the problem:

Step 1: Identify the Y-axis intersection by setting x=0 x = 0 .
Step 2: Substitute x=0 x = 0 into the function:

y=(0+4)2=42=16 y = (0+4)^2 = 4^2 = 16

Step 3: The intersection point on the Y-axis is (0,16)(0, 16).

Therefore, the solution to the problem is (0,16)(0, 16).

Answer:

(0,16) (0,16)

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Find the intersection of the function

y=(x2)2 y=(x-2)^2

With the X

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll find the intersection of the function y=(x2)2 y = (x-2)^2 with the x-axis. The x-axis is characterized by y=0 y = 0 . Hence, we set (x2)2=0 (x-2)^2 = 0 and solve for x x .

Let's follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Set the function equal to zero:

(x2)2=0 (x-2)^2 = 0

  • Step 2: Solve the equation for x x :

Taking the square root of both sides gives x2=0 x - 2 = 0 .

Adding 2 to both sides results in x=2 x = 2 .

  • Step 3: Find the intersection point coordinates:

The x-coordinate is x=2 x = 2 , and since it intersects the x-axis, the y-coordinate is y=0 y = 0 .

Therefore, the intersection point of the function with the x-axis is (2,0)(2, 0).

The correct choice from the provided options is (2,0) (2, 0) .

Answer:

(2,0) (2,0)

Video Solution
Exercise #3

To find the y axis intercept, you substitute x=0 x=0 into the equation and solve for y.

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine if the given statement is true, consider the equation of the parabola y=(xp)2 y = (x - p)^2 . The y-intercept occurs where the parabola crosses the y-axis, which is at x=0 x = 0 .

Step 1: Substitute x=0 x = 0 into the equation:

y=(0p)2=p2 y = (0 - p)^2 = p^2

Step 2: Calculate the y-intercept:

The y-intercept of the parabola is y=p2 y = p^2 .

Conclusion: The statement "To find the y-axis intercept, you substitute x=0 x = 0 into the equation and solve for y y " is indeed True, as applying this method correctly determined the y-intercept for the given form of a parabola. Therefore, the answer to the problem is True.

Answer:

True

Video Solution
Exercise #4

To which chart does the function y=x2 y=x^2 correspond?

1234

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, let's go through the process of elimination to find the graph corresponding to y=x2 y = x^2 .

The function y=x2 y = x^2 is an upward-opening parabola with its vertex located at the origin point (0, 0). It is symmetric about the y-axis.

Based on our problem statements or diagrams, the given function will match with chart '2'. This chart will depict an upward-facing parabolic shape with no horizontal or vertical shifts.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is the chart labeled 2.

Answer:

2

Video Solution
Exercise #5

To work out the points of intersection with the X axis, you must substitute x=0 x=0 .

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we need to determine whether substituting x=0 x = 0 gives us the points of intersection with the x-axis for the parabola y=(xp)2 y = (x - p)^2 .

To find the x-intercepts of any function, we set y=0 y = 0 because the x-intercepts occur where the curve meets the x-axis, which implies a zero output or function value:

  • Start with the equation: y=(xp)2 y = (x - p)^2 .
  • Set y=0 y = 0 for the x-intercept: (xp)2=0(x - p)^2 = 0.
  • Solving this gives (xp)=0(x - p) = 0 , which simplifies to x=p x = p .
  • Thus, the x-intercept happens at the point where x=p x = p , not where x=0 x = 0 .

Therefore, substituting x=0 x = 0 does not provide the x-intercepts. Instead, it provides the y-intercept. Therefore, the statement given in the problem is False.

Thus, the solution to the problem is False.

Answer:

False

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you find the vertex of y=(x-p)² parabolas?

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The vertex of y=(x-p)² is at point (p, 0). If the equation is y=(x-3)², the vertex is (3, 0). If it's y=(x+2)², rewrite as y=(x-(-2))², so the vertex is (-2, 0).

What is the difference between y=(x-p)² and y=(x+p)² transformations?

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• y=(x-p)² shifts the parabola p units to the RIGHT • y=(x+p)² shifts the parabola p units to the LEFT • The sign in the parentheses is opposite to the direction of movement

How does the coefficient 'a' in y=a(x-p)² affect the parabola?

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The coefficient 'a' controls the parabola's steepness and opening width. Larger values of |a| make the parabola steeper with a narrower opening. Smaller values of |a| make it wider with a gentler curve.

When does y=(x-p)² equal zero and what does this mean graphically?

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y=(x-p)² equals zero when x=p. Graphically, this represents the x-intercept where the parabola touches the x-axis, which is also the x-coordinate of the vertex.

What are the steps to graph y=(x-p)² parabolas?

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1. Identify the value of p to find horizontal shift 2. Plot the vertex at (p, 0) 3. Choose x-values on both sides of the vertex 4. Calculate corresponding y-values using the equation 5. Connect points to form the parabola shape

How do you solve word problems involving y=(x-p)² parabolas?

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First, identify what the variables represent in context. Then determine the vertex from the given information, write the equation in y=(x-p)² form, and use algebraic or graphical methods to find the required values.

What is the axis of symmetry for parabolas in the form y=(x-p)²?

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The axis of symmetry is the vertical line x=p. This line passes through the vertex and divides the parabola into two mirror-image halves.

Can y=(x-p)² parabolas open downward?

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The basic form y=(x-p)² always opens upward. To open downward, you need a negative coefficient: y=-a(x-p)² where a is positive. This creates a parabola that opens downward with vertex at (p, 0).

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