f(x) = (x – h)^2

you will move the graph h units to the right. For instance, the vertex of f(x) = x^2 is at (0, 0). The vertex of f(x) = (x – 1)^2 is at (1, 0). The graph moves one unit to the right.

If you do this:

f(x) = x^2 + k

you will move the graph k units up. For instance, the vertex of f(x) = x^2 + 2 will be at (0, 2).

So the vertex of f(x) = (x – h)^2 + k will be at (h, k).

Hope that helps.

where h is a horizontal translation and k a vertical one.

e.g. if h =2, it is a translation of 2 to the left and if h = -2, it is a translation to the right. If k = 3, your graph goes up of 3 units and is k = -3, your translation goes down of 3 units.

If your formulayou use is instead , f(x) = (x-h)^2 + k, then if h=2, you have a translation to the right and if h = -2, you have a translation to the left. If k = 3, your graph goes up of 3 units and is k = -3, your translation goes down of 3 units.