Question

Write an equation for the function

Answer 1

Answer:

  m(u) = -0.25(u +2)² +1    or    -0.25u² -u

Step-by-step explanation:

The equation is fairly easily written in vertex form, as the vertex point is on a grid line intersection at (-2, 1). The parabola opens downward, so the scale factor is negative.

The vertical change from the vertex is only a fraction of a unit when u differs from the vertex by 1. It is 1 unit when u differs from the vertex by 2, so the magnitude of the vertical scale factor is 1/2² = 1/4.

Our equation will be of the form ...

  m(u) = (vertical scale factor)(u - (horizontal vertex location))² + (vertical vertex location)

For this graph, the equation is ...

  m(u) = -0.25(u +2)² +1

or, simplifying, we get ...

  m(u) = -0.25u² -u