Determine if the parabola opens up or down.
$y=-2x^2-6x-7$

• A. Up
• B. Down
• C. To the left
• D. To the right

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the quadratic function given: \(y = -2x^2 - 6x - 7\).
2. Recall that the direction in which a parabola opens depends on the coefficient of the \(x^2\) term, which is called the leading coefficient.
3. Look at the leading coefficient in the equation, which is \(-2\) in this case.
4. If the leading coefficient is positive, the parabola opens upward; if it is negative, the parabola opens downward.
5. Since \(-2\) is negative, conclude that the parabola opens downward.