For a parabola in standard form (y = ax^2 + bx + c), use (x = -frac{b}{2a})
Substitute that (x)-value into the equation to find (y)
The vertex is (left(-frac{b}{2a}, fleft(-frac{b}{2a}right)right))
For a parabola in vertex form (y = a(x-h)^2 + k), the vertex is ((h, k))
For a parabola in factored form (y = a(x-r_1)(x-r_2)), use (x = frac{r_1 + r_2}{2})
Substitute that (x)-value into the equation to find (y)
The vertex is the point where the parabola changes direction
The axis of symmetry is (x = -frac{b}{2a}) for (y = ax^2 + bx + c)