We can use two functions to compare/contrast.
First the parent function y = x^2 and then using a = 2 (which is >1), we can use y = 2x^2.

The blue is the original function of x^2 and the red is 2x^2.
The two questions to ask about the red:
Does it open upward or downward?
Is it wider or narrower than the blue?

That’s it!