f(x) = -x^2 – 8x – 4

a = -1

b = -8

-(-8) / (2 * -1)

8/-2

-4

plug -4 back in the eqution to find the y value of the vertex

f(-4) = -(-4)^2 – 8(-4) – 4

= -16 + 32 – 4

= 16 – 4

= 12

so the vertext is (-4,12)

Vertex form:

f(x) = a(x – h) + k has the vertex of (h,k)

f(x) = (x + 2)^2 – 7 has the vertex of (-2,-7)

f(x) = -x^2 – 8x – 4

a = -1

b = -8

c = -4

Second:

f(x) = (x+2)^2 – 7

Multiply out:

f(x) = x^2 + 2*2*x + 2^2 – 7

Simplify:

f(x) = x^2 +4x + 4 -7 = x^2 + 4x -3

Find your a, b and c (the sign in front always goes with the number) then plug into the formula the person above gave you and voila!

Otherwise if you know calculus, you know that the vertex is the very top where the curve goes from one curving direction to the other. The peak. The slope at that point is always zero so you can find the first derivative of each equation, set it to zero and that will give you the x (then plug into the formula again to get the y coordinate.

First:

f'(x) = – 2x -8 = 0

Solve for x

Second:

f'(x) = 2x + 4 =0

solve for x.

It’s faster but maybe not at your level.

y=ax^2+bx+c

To find the vertex (x,y) do the following:

1- First find the x point by using this formula: -b/2a

2 – Use the result and substitute it by the x in the given formula and then you’ll have y.

3 – Done!!

First problem:

f(x)= -x^2-8x-4

a= -1 b= -8 c= -4

-b/2a = -(-8)/ 2 .(-1) = 8/-2= -4

x= -4

Substitute:

y= -(-4)^2-8.(-4)-4

y= -16 +32 – 4

y= -16 + 28

y= 12

Answer: (-4, 12)

Second problem:

Expand f(x)= (x+2)^2 – 7

y= x^2+4x-3

a= 1 b= 4 c= -3

-b/2a= -4/2 = -2

x= -2

Substitute:

y= 4 + 8 – 3

y= -7

Answer: (-2, -7)

Hope I helped. Wish you luck!!