A vertex-form equation is a mathematical equation that represents a parabola in the form y = a(x-h)^2 + k, where (h,k) is the vertex of the parabola and a is a constant value that determines the direction and shape of the parabola.
A vertex-form equation will always have the variables x and y, as well as the squared term (x-h)^2. The values of a, h, and k can also be identified from the equation.
A vertex-form equation can be considered "weird" if the value of a is negative, which results in a downward facing parabola. This is because most people are accustomed to seeing parabolas with a positive value of a, which creates an upward facing parabola.
To graph a vertex-form equation, you can plot the vertex point (h,k) on the coordinate plane and use the value of a to determine the direction and shape of the parabola. Then, you can plot other points on the parabola by substituting different values for x and solving for y.
Yes, a vertex-form equation can have a vertex at the origin if the values of h and k are both 0. This results in an equation in the form y = ax^2, which is a basic parabola with a positive value of a.