Problem

Find the equation of the parabola $f(x)=a x^{2}+b x+c$ that passes through the three points $(-3,-33),(0,-6)$, and $(2,-8)$

Answer

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Answer

Final Answer: The equation of the parabola is \(\boxed{-2x^2 + 3x - 6}\)

Steps

Step 1 :Plug in the given points into the equation to create a system of linear equations:

Step 2 :1. \(9a - 3b + c = -33\)

Step 3 :2. \(c = -6\)

Step 4 :3. \(4a + 2b + c = -8\)

Step 5 :Solve the system of linear equations for a, b, and c:

Step 6 :From equation 2, we have \(c = -6\)

Step 7 :Substitute \(c = -6\) into equations 1 and 3:

Step 8 :1. \(9a - 3b - 6 = -33\)

Step 9 :3. \(4a + 2b - 6 = -8\)

Step 10 :Solve equations 1 and 3 for a and b:

Step 11 :\(a = -2\) and \(b = 3\)

Step 12 :Final Answer: The equation of the parabola is \(\boxed{-2x^2 + 3x - 6}\)

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