# Mathmom's Contest

• April 10th 2012, 07:25 PM
mathmom8
Mathmom's Contest
I need a breakdown for my son's homework

Attachment 23559

thanks!

Mathmom.
• April 10th 2012, 07:47 PM
Re: Mathmom's Contest
try to find a,b,c in terms of $y_0,y_1$ and $y_2$
• April 10th 2012, 07:53 PM
mathmom8
Re: Mathmom's Contest
Yes, that is what I cannot figure out how to accomplish
• April 10th 2012, 08:04 PM
Re: Mathmom's Contest
here's a clue

you know that $(-h,y_0),(0,y_1),(h,y_2)$ satisfies the equation. So you can substitute those points to the equation and get three equations with a,b,c and $y_0,y_1,y_2$. There you go.
• April 10th 2012, 08:26 PM
mathmom8
Re: Mathmom's Contest
Look, admittedly I'm not a mathematician. I'm a single mother of two boys, and I cant work through this, nor can my son recall ever seeing it in class. We need it clearly worked out
• April 11th 2012, 10:35 AM
HallsofIvy
Re: Mathmom's Contest
Then your son should go to his teacher and ask about this problem. If he has been given a problem like this, he is clearly expected to be able to understand it even if not complete it. The last thing you want to do is trick his teacher into thinking he can do it so he doesn't need more instruction!
• April 11th 2012, 10:42 AM
mathmom8
Re: Mathmom's Contest
OK

close this thread i got it