Prepare for the College Algebra CLEP Test with our comprehensive practice exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering clues and detailed explanations. Achieve your best score and excel in your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What is the vertex form of the equation of the parabola whose vertex is (3,-4) and whose axis of symmetry is x=3?

  1. y= -1/2(x-3)^2 -4

  2. y=1/2(x-3)^2-4

  3. y= -1/2(x+3)^2 -4

  4. y=1/2(x+3)^2-4

The correct answer is: y=1/2(x-3)^2-4

The equation of a parabola in vertex form is y = a(x-h)^2 + k, where (h,k) is the vertex and a is the stretch/shrink factor of the parabola. Therefore, in this case, the vertex form of the parabola with a vertex at (3,-4) would be y = a(x-3)^2 - 4. Option A and C have the incorrect vertex point of (3,-4), while option D has the incorrect sign for the stretch/shrink factor (a should be negative to reflect the downwards opening parabola). Option B is the only correct answer.