B. First off , standard form of a 2nd degree equation is Ax^2 + Bx + C. So look at the coefficient of Ax^2 which is -2. If positive, the parabola opens up and has a minimum. If negative, the parabola opens down and has a maximum.
A. To find the vertex (in this case maximum), Graph the equation -OR— make a table. — OR— Find the zeroes and find the middle x-value -2x^2 - 4x + 6 -2(x^2 +2x - 3 = 0 -2 (x - 1) ( x + 3)=0 x - 1 = 0. x + 3 = 0 x = 1. x = -3. So halfway would be at (-1, __). Sub in -1 into original equation -2x^2 -4x + 6 … -2(-1)^2 -4(-1) + 6 = -2 +4 +6 = 8 So the vertex is (-1,8)