Let's solve this problem step by step:
1. If a quadratic equation is a function of x:
⇒ as in [tex]y=ax^2+bx+c[/tex]
⇒ then the function must be pointing upwards or downwards
If a quadratic function is a function of y:
⇒ as in [tex]x=ay^2+by+c[/tex]
⇒ then the function must be pointing left or right
⇒ The function given is a function of x
⇒ must be pointing upwards or downwards.
2. If the coefficient of the highest power is negative
⇒ the function must be pointing down
If the coefficient of the highest power is positive
⇒ the function must be pointing up
⇒ the function's highest power is negative
⇒thus the function is pointing downward
Answer: downward
Hope that helps!
