The coefficient of x in this function is positive, but it is not the coefficient of x that determines whether the graph will open up or down. It is the coefficient of $\displaystyle{{x}}^{{2}}\usepackage{cmbright}\Huge\$ that determines if the graph will open up or down. The correct answer is: Down, because a (the coefficient of $\displaystyle{{x}}^{{2}}\usepackage{cmbright}\Huge\$ ) is negative.