Question 244641:  Hi! I was wondering if anyone could walk me through how to do this problem?  
Write a quadratic function given the following: 
(-1,6), (1,4), (2,9) 
y= 
Thanks! 
 Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! Write a quadratic function given the following: 
(-1,6), (1,4), (2,9) 
: 
Using the form; ax^2 + bx + c = y; we will write three equations: 
eq1: x=-1; y=6, substitute for x and y 
-1^2a + -1b + c = 6 
1a - 1b + c = 6 
or just 
a - b + c = 6 
: 
eq2: x=1; y=4 
1^2a + 1b + c = 4 
a + b + c = 4 
: 
eq3: x=2, y=9 
2^2a + 2b + c = 9 
4a + 2b + c = 9 
: 
We will solve these equations by elimination 
Subtract eq 1 from eq 2, eliminate a and c 
a + b + c = 4 
a - b + c = 6 
-----------------subtraction eliminate a and c 
0 +2b + 0 = -2 
b = -1 
: 
Substitute -1 for b in the 1st equation 
a - (-1) + c = 6 
a + 1 = c = 6 
a + c = 6 - 1 
a + c = 5 
: 
do the same in the 3rd equation 
4a + 2(-1) + c = 9 
4a - 2 + c = 9 
4a + c = 9 + 2 
4a + c = 11 
: 
Using these two equations: 
4a + c = 11 
a  + c = 5 
-------------Subtraction eliminates c, find a 
3a = 6 
a = 2 
: 
Find c using a + c = 5 
2 + c = 5 
c = 5 - 2 
c = 3 
: 
Our equation: y = 2x^2 - x + 3  
: 
You can check our solution, substitute for x and ensure that it equals y for each given coordinate 
: 
Did you understand what we did here? Any questions?
 
 
  | 
 
  
 
 |   
 
 |