The Vertex Form of a quadratic equation is expressed as y = a(x - h)^2 + k . In this equation, (h, k) represents the vertex of the parabola, which is the highest or lowest point depending on the value of a . If a is positive, the parabola opens upwards; if negative, it opens downwards. This form makes it easy to identify the vertex and understand the graph's shape.
Using the Vertex Form is particularly useful in graphing quadratic functions. By knowing the vertex, one can quickly plot the key point and determine the direction of the parabola. Additionally, it allows for easy transformations, such as shifting the graph horizontally or vertically by changing h and k . This makes it a valuable tool in algebra and calculus for analyzing quadratic relationships.