Solved on Jan 21, 2024

Find the equation of a parabola given its vertex at (1,3)(1, -3) and a point it passes through at (0,72)(0, \frac{7}{2}).

STEP 1

Assumptions
1. The general form of a parabola with vertex (h,k)(h, k) is y=a(xh)2+ky = a(x - h)^2 + k.
2. The vertex of the parabola is given as (1,3)(1, -3).
3. The parabola passes through the point (0,72)(0, \frac{7}{2}).

STEP 2

We will use the vertex form of the parabola to write the equation.
y=a(xh)2+ky = a(x - h)^2 + k

STEP 3

Substitute the vertex (h,k)(h, k) into the vertex form equation.
y=a(x1)23y = a(x - 1)^2 - 3

STEP 4

Now we need to find the value of aa. We can do this by using the point (0,72)(0, \frac{7}{2}) that the parabola passes through.

STEP 5

Substitute the point (0,72)(0, \frac{7}{2}) into the equation to solve for aa.
72=a(01)23\frac{7}{2} = a(0 - 1)^2 - 3

STEP 6

Simplify the equation by squaring the term (01)2(0 - 1)^2.
72=a(1)3\frac{7}{2} = a(1) - 3

STEP 7

Add 33 to both sides of the equation to isolate aa.
72+3=a\frac{7}{2} + 3 = a

STEP 8

Convert 33 to a fraction with the same denominator as 72\frac{7}{2} to combine the terms.
3=623 = \frac{6}{2}
72+62=a\frac{7}{2} + \frac{6}{2} = a

STEP 9

Add the fractions to solve for aa.
a=72+62=132a = \frac{7}{2} + \frac{6}{2} = \frac{13}{2}

STEP 10

Now that we have the value of aa, we can write the final equation of the parabola.
y=132(x1)23y = \frac{13}{2}(x - 1)^2 - 3
This is the equation of the parabola with the given vertex and passing through the given point.

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