Problem

Given three points on a parabola, P(0,0), Q(1,1), and R(2,4), find the equation of the parabola.

Answer

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Answer

Step 5: Solving the system of equations {a+b=14a+2b=4 we find that a=1 and b=0.

Steps

Step 1 :Step 1: A standard form of the equation of a parabola is y=ax2+bx+c. We can substitute the given points into this equation to form a system of equations.

Step 2 :Step 2: Substituting P(0,0) into the equation, we get 0=a02+b0+c, which simplifies to c=0.

Step 3 :Step 3: Substituting Q(1,1) into the equation, we get 1=a12+b1+0, which simplifies to a+b=1.

Step 4 :Step 4: Substituting R(2,4) into the equation, we get 4=a22+b2+0, which simplifies to 4a+2b=4.

Step 5 :Step 5: Solving the system of equations {a+b=14a+2b=4 we find that a=1 and b=0.

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