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PSAT Question of the Day

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Sunday, August 23, 2026

A coordinate plane shows a curve that is symmetric about the y-axis, passes through $(0,0)$ , and has points $(2,4)$ and $(-2,4)$ . Which equation matches the graph?

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A coordinate plane shows a curve that is symmetric about the y-axis, passes through $(0,0)$ , and has points $(2,4)$ and $(-2,4)$ . Which equation matches the graph?

$y=x^2$ (correct answer)
$y=|x|$
$y=2^x$
$y=\sqrt{x}$

Explanation: The question requires the equation for a graph symmetric about the y-axis, passing through (0,0), (2,4), and (-2,4). This is a quadratic function, nonlinear and even, like y = x². Symmetry about y-axis means f(-x) = f(x); testing y = x²: at x=0, 0; x=2, 4; x=-2, 4, matches. Absolute value y=|x| passes (0,0) but (2,2) not 4. This is choice A. Common error: Selecting absolute value without verifying points. Strategy: Check symmetry and plug in points to distinguish even quadratics from other symmetric nonlinear functions like absolute value.