Question

find a quadratic function that fits the set of data points (1,4) (-1,6) (-2,16)

Answer 1

ax^2 + bx + c = y
plug in your points:

a + b + c = 4
a - b + c = 6
4a - 2b + c = 16

a = 3
b = -1
c = 2

y = 3x^2 - x + 2