Advanced MathVery hardLeading coefficient of a symmetric quadratic
Advanced Math practice question
The quadratic function q is defined by q(x) = ax² + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants. If q(2) = q(−2), q(0) = −5, and q(1) = −2, what is the value of a?
Answer: 3
q(2) = q(−2) forces b = 0, and q(0) = −5 gives c = −5. Then q(1) = a − 5 = −2, so a = 3.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 0
- 0 is b.
- If you answered -2
- −2 is q(1), not a.
- If you answered -5
- −5 is c.
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