3
ALMultiple Choice

Parabolas

Question 3 • Applications and Modeling

Which of the following parabolas opens upward and appears narrower than y = -3x2 + 2x - 1?

Answer
A
y = 4x2 - 2x - 1
B
y = -4x2 + 2x - 1
C
y = x2 + 4x
D
y = -2x2 + x + 3

Explanation

A parabola opens upward when its x² coefficient is positive. It is narrower than y = -3x² + 2x - 1 when the absolute value of its x² coefficient is greater than 3; y = 4x² - 2x - 1 has coefficient 4, so it meets both conditions.

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