Question 171926
A bakery sells cheesecakes having diameters 6 in, 8 in, 10 in; all the same height. Suppose that they cost $8, $12, and $20 respectively. 
A. Which size gives you the most cheesecake per dollar?
please explain.
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The volume of each pie is (pi)r^2h; pi and h are the same for each pie
so the volume depends on r^2 for each pie
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The 6" has r^2 = 9 and the cost is (9/8)pih = 1.125 pih/dollar
The 8" has r^2 = 16 and the cost is (16/12)pih = 1.3333..pih/dollar
The 10" has r^2 = 25 and the cost is (25/20pih = 1.25 pih/dollar
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So the best buy is the 8" pie which gives you more volume per dollar
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B. Find a quadratic equation that models how the cost of a cheesecake varies 
You have three points: (6,8), (8,12), (10,20)
The quadratic form is ax^2 + bx + c = y
Substitute to get three equations in a,b, and c
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36a + 6b + c = 8
64a + 8b + c = 12
100a + 10b +c = 20
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Solve by any method you know to get:
a = 1/2
b = -5
c = 20
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Equations: 
y = (1/2)x^2 -5x + 20
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Cheers,
Stan H.