The document discusses the standard form and identifying features of the equation of a vertical parabola, noting that it can be written as y = ax^2 + bx + c, the highest degree of y is 1 and x is 2, and the sign of the x^2 term determines whether the graph is right side up or upside down, with the vertex being the highest or lowest point respectively.

1. EQUATION OF A PARABOLA
The equation of a vertical parabola shows
one of these forms:
y = ax2
+ bx + c (standard form)
or
y = ax2
; y = ax2
+ bx; y = ax2
+ c;

2. You can identify a vertical parabolic polynomial
equation because:
1. The highest degree for y will be 1
2. The highest degree for x will be 2
3. You will be able to isolate the y term

3. If the x squared term is positive, the graph will
be right side up (as above) But, if the x
squared term is negative, the graph will look
upside down

4. • From the equation of a parabola, we can also
tell what the vertex is. The vertex is the point
at the highest point of an upside down
parabola or the lowest point of a right side up
parabola.