Question

The equation below describes a parabola. If a is positive, which way does the
parabola open?

y=a8²

Answer 1

I'm assuming you meant to write y = ax^2 or $y = ax^2$

If 'a' is positive, then the parabola opens upward

On the other hand if a < 0, then the parabola would open downward.

One way to remember is that 'a' being positive means that the parabola makes a positive happy smile; 'a' being negative means the parabola makes a negative sad frown.