The axis of symmetry is the number inside the parenthesis with the x, which is also the x value of the vertex. And the +1 in f(x) is the y value of the vertex. But the x value has a sign opposite the sign inside the parenthesis with it because of the general form of the equation which is (x-h). So the vertex of f(x) has coordinates of (-4,1) and the axis of symmetry is x= -4. For g(x), the coordinates of the vertex are found by completing the square. Putting it into vertex form gives you an equation of 2(x-4)^2 - 1 = y with a vertex of (4, -1) so the axis of symmetry is the line x = 4. The last one, h(x), is 2(x - 1)^2 - 3 = y and the vertex has coordinates of (1, -3) and the axis of symmetry is the line x = 1. Putting them in order you have f(x) as the least, h(x) as second, and g(x) as the greatest. If you can't complete the square on a quadrilateral or "read" the vertex form of a quadrilateral, you'll struggle with this.
