Graphing a Parabola

In this lesson, we will learn how to sketch the graph of a parabola using three different methods. For the first method, we will use graphing transformations. To do this, we compare our parabola to the squaring function. Next, we talk about the step pattern (1,3,5,7,...) method for graphing a parabola. We will find that this method is the easiest method to use as long as "a", the coefficient of x² is not a fraction. Lastly, we will look at the textbook method, which involves finding the vertex, along with the x-intercepts and y-intercept.