Axis of Symmetry of a Parabola

 The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola.

 The axis of symmetry of a parabola is a vertical line that divides the parabola
into two congruent halves.
 The axis of symmetry always passes through the vertex of the parabola .
 The 𝒙 − 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆 of the vertex is the equation of the axis of symmetry of the
parabola.

For a quadratic function in standard form, 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 , the axis of symmetry is

−𝑏
a vertical line 𝑥 = .
2𝑎
Example 1:

Find the axis of symmetry of the parabola shown.

The 𝒙 − 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆 of the vertex is the equation of the axis of symmetry of the
parabola.
The vertex of the parabola is (𝟐, 𝟏) .
So, the axis of symmetry is the line = 𝟐. .
Example 2:

Find the axis of symmetry of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 𝟔𝑥 + 𝟓 using the formula.

For a quadratic function in standard form, = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 , the axis of symmetry is
−𝑏
a vertical line 𝑥
= .
2𝑎
Here, 𝑎 = 𝟏, 𝑏 = −𝟔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 = 𝟓 .
Substitute.

−(−6) 6
𝑥= = =3
2×1 2

Therefore, the axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = 𝟑.

Axis of symmetry

2
The axis of symmetry 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 + 𝑝) + 𝑞 is the vertical line 𝑥 = −𝑝 .
The axis of symmetry passes through the turning point (−𝑝; 𝑞) and is parallel to
the 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.