Thread: Parabola: finding the a and q values

I need help with finding the a and q values if the defining equation f is f(x)= ax^2 + q

with the x and y values being (-3;6) and (3;6)
x y x y

How would u go about solving this equation

Originally Posted by Mixxie16

I need help with finding the a and q values if the defining equation f is f(x)= ax^2 + q

with the x and y values being (-3;6) and (3;6)
x y x y

How would u go about solving this equation

Notice what happens when x is 3 or -3

.

But we know that the y value is supposed to equal 6, not 9. So the q value should subtract .

suits the two ordered pairs you were given.

Originally Posted by Mixxie16

I need help with finding the a and q values if the defining equation f is f(x)= ax^2 + q

with the x and y values being (-3;6) and (3;6)
x y x y

How would u go about solving this equation

Hi Mixxie,

if a=1, then q=-3

You need 2 clues to find "a" and "q".

The two pieces of information you are given are unfortunately
not giving two simultaneous equations as they are both



since

The graph of the function is parabolic, the axis of symmetry is the y-axis.



There are an infinite number of solutions until another clue is given.





etc