If a parabola opens downwards and has a maximum, and if it has a vertex of (-2,-3) and a y-intercept of (0,-11), what is the axis of symmetry, and what is the maximum value of the function?

Answer:
Its maximum value is -3 and its axis of symmetry is x = -2.
Step-by-step explanation:
We can write it in vertex form:
y = a(x + 2)^2 - 3 where a is a constant.
When x = 0 y = -11 (the y-intercept), so:
-11 = a(0 + 2)^2 - 3
-11 = 4a - 3
4a = -8
a = -2
So the equation of the parabola is
y = -2(x + 3)^2 - 3.
Its maximum value is -3 and its axis of symmetry is x = -2.