The equation y = -x^2 represents a quadratic function. The graph of this function is a parabola that opens downward because the coefficient of x^2 is negative.
To analyze this function further, you can find the vertex, y-intercept, x-intercepts, and sketch the graph.
Vertex: The vertex of the parabola can be found using the formula (-b/2a, f(-b/2a)), where the equation is in the form y = ax^2 + bx + c. In this case, a = -1, b = 0, and c = 0. Therefore, the vertex is at (0, 0).
Y-intercept: To find the y-intercept, set x = 0 in the equation y = -x^2. This gives y = 0. So, the y-intercept is at the point (0, 0).
X-intercepts: To find the x-intercepts, set y = 0 and solve the equation -x^2 = 0. The solutions are x = 0. Therefore, there is only one x-intercept at the point (0, 0).
Graph: The graph of y = -x^2 is a downward parabola with the vertex at the origin (0, 0). Since the parabola opens downward and has its vertex at (0, 0), the graph will look like this:
*
*
*
*
*
*
*---*
This is a general sketch of the graph of the function y = -x^2.