Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Vertex of a Quadratic Function
The vertex of a quadratic function in the form f(x) = a(x - h)^2 + k is the point (h, k) where the parabola changes direction. It represents either the maximum or minimum value of the function, depending on the sign of 'a'. For the given function f(x) = (x + 4)^2 - 2, the vertex is at (-4, -2).
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Axis of Symmetry
The axis of symmetry for a quadratic function is a vertical line that passes through the vertex, dividing the parabola into two mirror-image halves. It can be expressed as x = h, where h is the x-coordinate of the vertex. In this case, the axis of symmetry for f(x) = (x + 4)^2 - 2 is x = -4.
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Domain and Range of Quadratic Functions
The domain of a quadratic function is all real numbers, as there are no restrictions on the input values. The range, however, depends on the vertex; if the parabola opens upwards, the range starts from the y-coordinate of the vertex to positive infinity. For f(x) = (x + 4)^2 - 2, the range is [-2, ∞) since the vertex is the minimum point.
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Domain & Range of Transformed Functions