Question

how do i find the quadratic function that fits each set of data points (1,4),(-1,-2),(2,13)? im stuck..

Answer 1

Assuming you have a quadratic in the form
\[y = ax^2 + bx + c\]
Taking one of those points and plugging into the equation above for x and y you will get a linear equation with 3 unknowns (a, b, and c). Doing the same for the other 2 points will give you two other equations. Using these 3 equations you can solve for the 3 unknowns and plug the values you find for a, b, and c back into the original equation above.