document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=749246>Question 749246</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Have a project with Angry Birds where you have to find the equation of a parabola for the bird's flight path in various situations. I have to pick a point at the origin and a pint on the x axis for the pig to be placed and find the flight path (equation). How would i do this? I chose for points:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Bird placed at (0,0)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Pig placed at (5,0)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I dont understand what to do after this please help. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #732076 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Alan3354><B>Alan3354(69443)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Alan3354><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=Alan3354><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=732076\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Have a project with Angry Birds where you have to find the equation of a parabola for the bird's flight path in various situations. I have to pick a point at the origin and a pint on the x axis for the pig to be placed and find the flight path (equation). How would i do this? I chose for points:\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Bird placed at (0,0)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Pig placed at (5,0)<BR>\n" );
document.write( " <BR>\n" );
document.write( "I dont understand what to do after this please help.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The points are on the x-axis, so the vertex of the parabola is on the line x = 2.5, thru the midpoint.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "There are an infinite # of parabolas that will fit, only the y value of the vertex varies.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "the simplest method is to start with a parabola with its vertex on the y-axis, then shift it to the right 2.5 units.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y = -5x^2 +  will work.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "then the shift --> y = -5(x-2.5)^2 + 6.25<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "You can use the 3 points (0,0), (5,0) and (2.5,y) also.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Pick any value for y > 0 and find a parabola that fits.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "eg (2.5,5)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "y = ax^2 + bx + c<BR>\n" );
document.write( "0 = c<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "5 = a*6.25 + 5*2.5 = 6.25a + 12.5<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = -7.5/6.25 = -1.2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b = 6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "--> y = -1.2x^2 + 6x<BR>\n" );
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