Question

If you wanted a really steep hill for your roller coaster, would you use the graph of y = –2x^2 + 6 or y = (-1/10)x^2 + 6? Why? What part of the expression affected the steepness?

Answer 1

You want the height (y) to change most rapidly with the horizontal distance,(x) so you want the largest (absolute value) slope. y = -2x^2 has dy/dx = -4x, the slope.

Answer 2

Thanks!

Answer 3

You are very welcome.