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I assume this question refers to the coefficient of the squared term in a quadratic and not a variable (as stated in the question). That is, it refers to the a in ax2 + bx + c where x is the variable.

When a is a very large positive number, the graph is a very narrow or steep-sided cup shape. As a become smaller, the graph gets wider until, when a equals zero (and the equation is no longer a quadratic) the graph is a horizontal line. Then as a becomes negative, the graph becomes cap shaped. As the magnitude of a increases, the sides of the graph become steeper.

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Q: What does changing the a variable do to the graph of a quadratic?
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