The variable A affects if the parabola is upward or downward, if the number is positive or negative. In this case A is positive so it is upward and is a fraction which causes the parabola to be wider. K value is equal to Y for the vertex, with X being H value but the opposite sign. Since H is +1, X is -1 in the vertex. The vertex coordinates are (-1, -4). The original equation y=x^2 is compared next to the given vertex form parabola in the graph below. The difference is very noticeable with the picture and one of the biggest differences is the line of symmetry which in the form y=x^2 is X=0 and the minimum value is 0. In my given form y=1/2 (x+1)^2-4 the line of symmetry is -1 and the minimum value is -4. Though there are some similarities as they are all real numbers and in both equations A is positive.
I represented the same mathematical idea in a graph, equation and words.
To demonstrate my understanding of chapter 3 on graphing parabolas I used the vocabulary: vertex, parabola, minimum value, all real numbers, graph, coordinate, equation and line of symmetry.
I used demos graphing calculator for my formatting to show information of my individual equation and a comparison between both.