The vertex of this parabola is at -5 -2 When the x-value is -4 the y-value is 2 What is the coefficient of the squared expression in the parabola's equation?

The vertex of this parabola is at -5 -2 When the x-value is -4 the y-value is 2. The coefficient of the squared expression in the parabola's equation is 4.

y = a(x - h)2 + k; (h, k) = (-5, -2); (x, y) = (-4, 2)

2 = a[-4 -(-5)]2 - 2, add 2 to both sides

4 = a(-4 +5)2

4 = a(1)2

4 = a