Advanced MathVery hardLeading coefficient from three points
Advanced Math practice question
In the xy-plane, the graph of y = ax² + bx + c passes through the points (0, 3), (1, 0), and (−1, 8). What is the value of a?
Answer: 1
c = 3. Then a + b + 3 = 0 and a − b + 3 = 8; adding gives 2a + 6 = 8, so a = 1.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 3
- 3 is c.
- If you answered 4
- 4 is a − b + 3 − 7, a slip; 2a = 2.
- If you answered -4
- −4 is b.
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