How do you find the vertex & how do you know if a graph opens up or down asap

Standard form of a quadratic f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c
In a quadratic function you find the vertex using the formula x = -b/2a; once you find the x value, substitute it into the equation and solve for y.
To know if a parabola opens up or down you look at the coefficient of the x^2 term. If it is positive, the graph opens up; if it is negative, the graph opens down.