Stage 23 · Quadratic Functions

23.2.3 Sliding Up and Down with y=ax²+k

23.2 First Look at the Graph: The Shape of a Parabola

Point 3 of 5

23.2.3 Sliding Up and Down with y=ax²+k

Core idea

The whole bowl moves straight up or down without changing shape: add k to lift it, subtract k to drop it, and the vertex rides along.

Module goal. Start from the simplest form y=ax², understand which way it opens and how wide, and build an intuitive picture of the parabola.
eastmath.com · 23.2 First Look at the Graph: The Shape of a Parabola · 23.2.3 Sliding Up and Down with y=ax²+k