If the points in the table lie on a​ parabola, write the equation whose graph is the parabola.

x
negative 1−1
11
33
55
y
negative 6−6
1414
negative 6−6
negative 66−66
Question content area bottom
Part 1
yequals= enter your response here
​(Simplify your answer. Use integers or fractions for any numbers in the​ expression.)

1 answer

To find the equation of the parabola that fits the points given in the table, we can use the standard form of a quadratic equation:

\[ y = ax^2 + bx + c \]

The points provided are:

  1. (-1, -6)
  2. (1, 14)
  3. (3, -6)
  4. (5, -6)

Let's assign the coordinates for these points:

  1. \((-1, -6) \rightarrow (-1, -6)\)
  2. \((1, 14) \rightarrow (1, 14)\)
  3. \((3, -6) \rightarrow (3, -6)\)
  4. \((5, -6) \rightarrow (5, -6)\)

Since we have four points, we can use three of them to set up a system of equations.

Using points 1, 2, and 3:

  1. For \((-1, -6)\): \[ -6 = a(-1)^2 + b(-1) + c \implies -6 = a - b + c \quad \text{(Equation 1)} \]

  2. For \((1, 14)\): \[ 14 = a(1)^2 + b(1) + c \implies 14 = a + b + c \quad \text{(Equation 2)} \]

  3. For \((3, -6)\): \[ -6 = a(3)^2 + b(3) + c \implies -6 = 9a + 3b + c \quad \text{(Equation 3)} \]

Now we'll write these equations in matrix form and solve for \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\).

Step 1: Set Up the System

From our equations:

  • Equation 1: \(a - b + c = -6\)
  • Equation 2: \(a + b + c = 14\)
  • Equation 3: \(9a + 3b + c = -6\)

Step 2: Subtract Equations

Let's eliminate \(c\) by subtracting Equation 1 from Equation 2 and then Equation 2 from Equation 3:

From Equation 1 and Equation 2: \[ (a + b + c) - (a - b + c) = 14 - (-6) \ 2b = 20 \implies b = 10 \]

From Equation 2 and Equation 3: \[ (9a + 3b + c) - (a + b + c) = -6 - 14 \ 8a + 2b = -20 \implies 8a + 2(10) = -20 \ 8a + 20 = -20 \ 8a = -40 \implies a = -5 \]

Step 3: Find \(c\)

Now substitute \(a\) and \(b\) back into Equation 1 to find \(c\): \[ -5 - 10 + c = -6 \ c = -6 + 15 = 9 \]

Conclusion

Now we have the values:

  • \(a = -5\)
  • \(b = 10\)
  • \(c = 9\)

Thus, the equation of the parabola is: \[ y = -5x^2 + 10x + 9 \]

This is your final answer. You can enter it as:

\[ y = -5x^2 + 10x + 9 \]