How To Find The Axis Of Symmetry For Parabolas And Other Symmetric Shapes – A Guide.

Axis of Symmetry

Line that runs straight down the middle of the graph. It splits the graph into two symmetrical pieces.

The axis of symmetry is a line that divides a geometric shape or object into two identical or symmetric parts. In the case of a parabola (a U-shaped curve), the axis of symmetry is a vertical line passing through the vertex of the parabola.

To find the axis of symmetry of a parabola in standard form, which is y = ax^2 + bx + c, you can use the formula x = -b/2a.

For example, consider the parabola y = 2x^2 – 4x + 1. To find the axis of symmetry, we first identify the values of a, b, and c from the standard form. Here, a = 2, b = -4, and c = 1.

Next, we substitute these values into the formula x = -b/2a:

x = -(-4)/2(2)

x = 1

Therefore, the axis of symmetry for this parabola is x = 1.

It is important to note that the axis of symmetry is not confined to parabolas. It can be used to find the line of symmetry for any symmetric object or shape, such as circles, ellipses, or even letters and numbers.

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