Identify the family of curves represented by the equation y = ax^2 + bx + c.

Identify the family of curves represented by the equation y = ax^2 + bx + c.

Step 1: Understand that the equation y = ax^2 + bx + c is a mathematical expression.
Step 2: Recognize that 'a', 'b', and 'c' are constants that can change.
Step 3: Note that 'a' determines the shape of the curve (whether it opens up or down).
Step 4: Understand that 'b' and 'c' affect the position of the curve on the graph.
Step 5: Realize that changing 'a', 'b', or 'c' creates different curves, but they all belong to the same family called quadratic functions.

Quadratic Functions – The equation represents a family of quadratic functions, which are parabolic curves defined by the coefficients a, b, and c.