Math Problem Statement

D. What is the general form of the equation of the parabola below?

What is the general form of the equation of the parabola below?

Solution

The graph you uploaded represents a parabola that appears to be oriented upwards, as the shape suggests, and passes through some specific points.

Steps to find the general form of the equation:

The general form of a parabola is given by:

y=ax2+bx+cy = ax^2 + bx + c

To determine the exact form of the equation, we'll use the coordinates of the points that lie on the curve. Based on the graph, let's estimate the key points the parabola passes through:

  1. (2,0)(2, 0)
  2. (4,4)(4, 4)
  3. (6,5)(6, 5)

We can use these points to form a system of equations to solve for aa, bb, and cc.


Let's calculate the coefficients now.The general equation of the parabola is:

y=38x2+174x7y = -\frac{3}{8}x^2 + \frac{17}{4}x - 7

This equation is derived from the points on the graph and represents the parabola's curve.

Would you like further details on how this was calculated, or do you have any questions? Here are some related questions that could extend your understanding:

  1. How can you convert this equation to vertex form?
  2. How do you find the axis of symmetry for this parabola?
  3. What is the significance of the coefficient aa in the equation of a parabola?
  4. How can you verify that the points lie on this parabola?
  5. How does the discriminant of a quadratic equation relate to the shape of its graph?

Tip: When solving a system of equations, choosing points carefully from a graph helps ensure an accurate solution.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Quadratic Equations
Parabolas

Formulas

General form of a parabola: y = ax^2 + bx + c

Theorems

System of equations
Quadratic function properties

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12