how do you work out the equation of any parabolas?

zael · #1 Jun 30, 2009, 05:07 PM

It is an upside down parabola. vertex is (600, 50) ?

Unknown008 · Jul 1, 2009, 07:08 AM

There are several methods. One of the simplest may be the completed squared form;

$y=a(x-b)^2 + c$

where (b,c) is the coordinates of the vertex.

In your case, the formula will be

$y = -a(x-600)^2 + 50$

The negative sign in front of the 'a' indicates that the parabola is 'upside down'
If another point besides the vertex were given, you can work out the value of a by replacing x and y by the respective given coordinates.

zael · Jul 3, 2009, 09:21 PM

thanks

Unknown008 · Jul 4, 2009, 08:26 AM

You're welcomed!



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