Complete the square as an aid in graphing :
y = -x^2 + 8x - 12

Anyone?

Multiply through by -1 to get rid of the negative in front of the x^2.

Then use the formula:

shouldn't it be this way:
(x + a)^2 + k

I think it should be like this:

y = -x^2 + 8x - 12
-y = x^2 - 8x + 12
(x + a)^2 + k
x^2 - 8x place ( ) around it
-y = (x^2 - 8x ) + 12
-y = (x^2 - 8x + 1 ) + 12 - 1
right way?

-y = (x - 7)^2 + 11

Hello anyone here to help me out

y = -x^2 + 8x - 12
-y = x^2 - 8x + 12
-y = (x^2 - 8x +16) + 12 - 16
-y = (x-4)^2 - 4
y = -(x-4)^2 + 4