Graphing a parabola doesn't have to be a nightmare of plotting points. Vertex form is your ultimate cheat code.

The Form of Power is: y = a(x - h)² + k.

The secret is that this form literally gives you the coordinates of the vertex (the bottom or top of the 'U' shape).

The vertex is simply at the point (h, k). Be careful: notice it's 'x minus h' in the formula, so you take the opposite sign for h.

For y = 2(x - 3)² + 5, the vertex is at (3, 5). Boom. The most important point is found.

The 'a' value tells you everything else. If 'a' is positive, the parabola opens upwards. If negative, it opens downwards.

If the absolute value of 'a' is greater than 1, the parabola is 'skinny' (stretched). If it's less than 1, it's 'wide' (compressed).

Once you have the vertex, just pick one other easy x-value (like one number over from the vertex) to find a second point.

Use the parabola's symmetry to plot a third point for free.

Connect the dots, and you're done. Vertex form turns a tedious task into a simple, three-step process.