Chapter 3 - Linear and Quadratic Functions - 3.3 Quadratic Functions and Their Properties - 3.3 Assess Your Understanding - Page 145: 5

parabola

The graph of the quadratic function $y = ax^2 + bx + c$ is a parabola (U-shaped). The parabola opens upwards with the "a" is positive (minimum value) while the parabola opens downwards when the "a" is negative (maximum value).