What effect does the "b" value in the equation have on the graph of a quadratic?

For each of the tasks below, do the following: [br][br]1. Use the sliders to adjust the 'a' and 'b' values for the quadratic function: [math]f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c[/math]. [br][br]Describe your observations. What do you notice? What do you wonder? How could we investigate this further?[br][br]2. Click the button that allows you to trace the vertex. [br][br]Describe your observations. What do you notice? What do you wonder? What is the equation of the function that is created when you trace the vertex? How is this equation related to f(x) when b = 0?