Now you can use a graphing calculator or the graphing utility to discover information about the quadratic parent function.

This activity might not be viewable on your mobile device. For this interactive activity, assistance may be required. Graph Sketcher

Input x2 or x^2 under the equation editor button Y= on the graphing calculator, or y(x) = on the graphing utility link, and then click graph.  This is the quadratic parent function. The image below illustrates what the activity will look like.

the graph of the parent function of y = x squared is shown

Explore the quadratic parent function and how other quadratic functions can be formed by transforming the parent function.  Remember that the quadratic parent function is only y = x2.