How do we graph parabolas

Before we can solve a parabolas we have to know what a parabola is
A parabola is a graph of quadratic function that is curved.
take  y = x^2+x-2
we have to graph it first http://my.hrw.com/math06_07/nsmedia/tools/Graph_Calculator/graphCalc.html this link is to a graphing calculator to make it easy to graph
what makes it be curved is the ^2 if i replace the x with a negative (-2) we will get the same answer as a positive (2)
when plotting the points we want the most simpler numbers so we can but
-2:(-2)^2+(-2)-2=0
-1:(-1)^2+(-1)-2=-2
 0:(0)^2+(0)-2=-2
 1:(1)^2+(1)-2=0
 2:(2)^2+(2)-2=4

as you can see the quadratic function is a parabola because it has a curve


for more help check out these other links

• http://www.sparknotes.com/math/algebra1/quadratics/section1.html
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdHLUlg6tnA
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJDM4TE6I30&feature=related