Find the Coefficient of x² in y=-x²-3x+1: Quadratic Equation Analysis

a = coefficient of x²

b = coefficient of x

c = coefficient of the independent number

what is the value of $a$ in the equation

$y=-x^2-3x+1$

To determine the coefficient $a$ in the given quadratic equation $y = -x^2 - 3x + 1$, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Recognize the form of the quadratic equation as $y = ax^2 + bx + c$.
• Step 2: Identify the $x^2$ term in the equation $y = -x^2 - 3x + 1$.
• Step 3: Determine the coefficient of the $x^2$ term, which is in front of $x^2$.

In the equation $y = -x^2 - 3x + 1$, the term involving $x^2$ is $-x^2$, where the coefficient $a$ is clearly $-1$.

Hence, the value of $a$ is $a = -1$.