A soup bowl has a cross section with a parabolic shape, as shown in the figure. The bowl has a diameter of 8

Question

inches and is 2.5 inches deep.

b. Based off your diagram, write an equation of a parabola that models the bowl.

c. How deep is the bowl 2 inches from the center? Justify your answer.

Answer 1

Let y = ax^2
You have
y(4) = 2.5
so 16a = 2.5
now that you have a, find y(2)