document.write( "Question 619751: find a quadratic function that fits the set of data points (2,0) (4,3) (12,-5) \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #389776 by ewatrrr(24785)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
 
\n" ); document.write( "Hi,
\n" ); document.write( "find a quadratic function that fits the set of data points (2,0) (4,3) (12,-5)
\n" ); document.write( " y = ax^2 + bx + c =
\n" ); document.write( " 4a + 2b + c = 0
\n" ); document.write( " 16a + 4b + c = 3
\n" ); document.write( "144a + 12b + c = -5 (-1/4, 3, -5)
\n" ); document.write( "y = (-1/4)x^2 + 3x - 5
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Solved by pluggable solver: Using Cramer's Rule to Solve Systems with 3 variables

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\n" ); document.write( " \"system%284%2Ax%2B2%2Ay%2B1%2Az=0%2C16%2Ax%2B4%2Ay%2B1%2Az=3%2C144%2Ax%2B12%2Ay%2B1%2Az=-5%29\"
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\n" ); document.write( " First let \"A=%28matrix%283%2C3%2C4%2C2%2C1%2C16%2C4%2C1%2C144%2C12%2C1%29%29\". This is the matrix formed by the coefficients of the given system of equations.
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\n" ); document.write( " Take note that the right hand values of the system are \"0\", \"3\", and \"-5\" and they are highlighted here:
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\n" ); document.write( " These values are important as they will be used to replace the columns of the matrix A.
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\n" ); document.write( " Now let's calculate the the determinant of the matrix A to get \"abs%28A%29=-160\". To save space, I'm not showing the calculations for the determinant. However, if you need help with calculating the determinant of the matrix A, check out this solver.
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\n" ); document.write( " Notation note: \"abs%28A%29\" denotes the determinant of the matrix A.
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\n" ); document.write( " Now replace the first column of A (that corresponds to the variable 'x') with the values that form the right hand side of the system of equations. We will denote this new matrix \"A%5Bx%5D\" (since we're replacing the 'x' column so to speak).
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\n" ); document.write( " Now compute the determinant of \"A%5Bx%5D\" to get \"abs%28A%5Bx%5D%29=40\". Again, as a space saver, I didn't include the calculations of the determinant. Check out this solver to see how to find this determinant.
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\n" ); document.write( " To find the first solution, simply divide the determinant of \"A%5Bx%5D\" by the determinant of \"A\" to get: \"x=%28abs%28A%5Bx%5D%29%29%2F%28abs%28A%29%29=%2840%29%2F%28-160%29=-1%2F4\"
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\n" ); document.write( " So the first solution is \"x=-1%2F4\"
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\n" ); document.write( " We'll follow the same basic idea to find the other two solutions. Let's reset by letting \"A=%28matrix%283%2C3%2C4%2C2%2C1%2C16%2C4%2C1%2C144%2C12%2C1%29%29\" again (this is the coefficient matrix).
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\n" ); document.write( " Now replace the second column of A (that corresponds to the variable 'y') with the values that form the right hand side of the system of equations. We will denote this new matrix \"A%5By%5D\" (since we're replacing the 'y' column in a way).
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\n" ); document.write( " Now compute the determinant of \"A%5By%5D\" to get \"abs%28A%5By%5D%29=-480\".
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\n" ); document.write( " To find the second solution, divide the determinant of \"A%5By%5D\" by the determinant of \"A\" to get: \"y=%28abs%28A%5By%5D%29%29%2F%28abs%28A%29%29=%28-480%29%2F%28-160%29=3\"
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\n" ); document.write( " So the second solution is \"y=3\"
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\n" ); document.write( " Let's reset again by letting \"A=%28matrix%283%2C3%2C4%2C2%2C1%2C16%2C4%2C1%2C144%2C12%2C1%29%29\" which is the coefficient matrix.
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\n" ); document.write( " Replace the third column of A (that corresponds to the variable 'z') with the values that form the right hand side of the system of equations. We will denote this new matrix \"A%5Bz%5D\"
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\n" ); document.write( " Now compute the determinant of \"A%5Bz%5D\" to get \"abs%28A%5Bz%5D%29=800\".
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\n" ); document.write( " To find the third solution, divide the determinant of \"A%5Bz%5D\" by the determinant of \"A\" to get: \"z=%28abs%28A%5Bz%5D%29%29%2F%28abs%28A%29%29=%28800%29%2F%28-160%29=-5\"
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\n" ); document.write( " So the third solution is \"z=-5\"
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\n" ); document.write( " Final Answer:
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\n" ); document.write( " So the three solutions are \"x=-1%2F4\", \"y=3\", and \"z=-5\" giving the ordered triple (-1/4, 3, -5)
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\n" ); document.write( " Note: there is a lot of work that is hidden in finding the determinants. Take a look at this 3x3 Determinant Solver to see how to get each determinant.
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