College Math Placement Practice Test 2025 - Free College Math Questions and Study Guide

Question: 1 / 400

Given the function f(x) = x^2 - 4, what is the vertex of the parabola?

(0, 0)

(0, -4)

To find the vertex of the parabola described by the function \( f(x) = x^2 - 4 \), we can identify important characteristics of quadratic functions. This particular function is in the standard form \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \), where \( a = 1 \), \( b = 0 \), and \( c = -4 \).

The vertex of a parabola represented by a quadratic function can be found using the formula for the x-coordinate of the vertex:

\[

x = -\frac{b}{2a}

\]

In this case, since \( b = 0 \):

\[

x = -\frac{0}{2 \times 1} = 0

\]

Next, to find the corresponding y-coordinate of the vertex, we substitute \( x = 0 \) back into the function:

\[

f(0) = (0)^2 - 4 = -4

\]

Thus, the vertex of the parabola is at the point \( (0, -4) \). This supports the conclusion that choice B, \( (0, -4) \), correctly represents the location of the vertex.

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(-2, 0)

(-4, 0)

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