Rebecca B
Favorite Answer
Are we talking about the equation, -1/2x^2 + 7/2x - 3?
Pick a half dozen random values for x, then run them through the equation to get the corresponding y values then plot on a graph and join the dots.
For example, if x = 2, then -1/2x^2 + 7/2x - 3 becomes -1/2(2)^2 + 7/2(2) - 3 = 2. So x=2, y=2. Plot that on your graph. Then pick another random value for x, say x=9 and plug that into the equation to get -1/2(9)^2 + 7/2(9) - 3 = -12. So x=9, y=-12. Plot that and repeat until you have enough points plotted to draw the slope of your graph. Then you can just read off the answers from the graph.
Nikhi
The easiest way is to put it in the standard form for a parabola, which will tell you everything you need to know about it without actually graphing it. You can do this by completing the square, and should get an equation of the form y=a(x-h)+k.
The point (h,k) will be your vertex, and everything else can be either solved using basic algebra, or seen by using transformation properties.
?
Ever heard of a screenshot? And you need to make a graphic anyway.