Finding the vertex of a parabola can be tough for Year 8 students. But understanding this is really important for learning about parabolas. Let’s make it easier to understand!

First, the vertex of a parabola comes from a specific equation called the quadratic equation. This is written as:

y = ax² + bx + c

Here, a, b, and c are numbers that help shape the parabola. But sometimes it can be hard to see how these numbers affect the graph.

Let’s go step-by-step on how to find the vertex:

1. Find the numbers: Look at the equation and find the values for a and b.

2. Find the x-coordinate: Use this formula to find the x-coordinate of the vertex:

   x = -b / (2a)

   This part can be tricky since you have to remember the negative sign and divide by 2a. It can be confusing, especially if a is a fraction or negative.

3. Calculate the y-coordinate: After you have the x-coordinate, put this number back into the original equation to find the y-coordinate.

4. Write down the vertex: You can now write the vertex as a point, which looks like this: (x, y).

Even though this can be hard at first, practice can really help. Doing many examples, asking teachers for help, and looking at graphs can make things clearer.

With some time and effort, finding the vertex will become easier and more useful when dealing with quadratic equations!