SOLUTION: I am very interested in how one would derive a quadratic equation from a physical parabola. I have one that measures 3.5" from vertex to "mouth" and 4.5" across the "mouth." I plot

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: I am very interested in how one would derive a quadratic equation from a physical parabola. I have one that measures 3.5" from vertex to "mouth" and 4.5" across the "mouth." I plot      Log On


   



Question 166325: I am very interested in how one would derive a quadratic equation from a physical parabola. I have one that measures 3.5" from vertex to "mouth" and 4.5" across the "mouth." I plotted it on a graph with a y intercept of 3.5 and x intercepts of 2.25, -2.25. I played with your quadratic solver and a graphing calculator and the closest I was able to come to was -.691x%5E2%2B3.5=0. How could I solve this without using the aforementioned tools?
Thank you

Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Center your parabola at (0,0).
Then the general equation of the parabola becomes
y=ax%5E2
From your measurement, at x=2.25, y=3.5,
y=ax%5E2
3.5=a%282.25%29%5E2
a=3.5%2F%282.25%29%5E2
a=3.5%2F5.0625
a=0.6914
a is the same, the other constant just scales the graph with regards to the origin.