What about this guy?

y = 1/2 x^2
This means that he's going to be half as tall as normal.
( All the outputs are half as big! )

When you draw him, you go half way up!

graphing y = ( 1/2 ) x^2 ... go over 1 and up 1/2 instead of 1, giving points ( -1 , 1/2 ) and ( 1 , 1/2 )

graphing y = ( 1/2 ) x^2 ... go over 2 and up 2 instead of 4, giving points ( -2 , 2 ) and ( 2 , 2 )

NOTE: If the textbook you're using uses the "wider" and "narrower" approach, it means the same thing.  I just don't think it make as much sense!  But, they don't ask ME about these things!


TRY IT:

Graph and identify what's going on -- don't just plot points:

y = 3x^2

y = ( 1/4 ) x^2

y = 5x^2