I have a curved graph with only two coordinates... (-2,5) and (2,1) How do I determine the explicit formula for this curve?
+128408
With only two coordinates given, there could be many possibilities......
One possibilty can be found by solving the system for a and b to generate a polynomial in the form y = ax^2 + bx
a(-2)^2 + b(-2) = 5
a(2)^2 + b(2) = 1 simplify
4a - 2b = 5
4a + 2b = 1 add the equations
8a = 6 divide by 8 on both sides
a = 6/8 = 3/4
And using 4a - 2b = 5 to solve for b, we have
4(3/4) - 2b = 5
3 - 2b = 5
-2b = 2 divide through by -2
b = -1
So.......a possible function is :
y = (3/4)x^2 - 1x
