Basic calculus problem - is this approach correct?
- From: newbarker@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:06:13 -0700 (PDT)
Hello,
I'm self teaching and working on the following question:
"The curve y = ax^2 + bx + c crosses the y-axis at the point (0,3) and
has a stationary point at (1,2). Find the values of a, b and c."
I can find that c = 3 easily. That's revealed by the point (0,3).
a and b are causing me difficulty though. My text has taught me that
the derivitive function will equal zero at a stationary point.
Therefore:
2ax + b = 0 at the stationary point. I know x = 1 at one of the
stationary points. Therefore 2a(1) + b = 0 and therefore b = -2a.
I want to know if the following step is valid or not: plugging b = -2a
into the original equation for when x = 1 to get a as follows:
2 = a(1)^2 - 2a(1) + 3 ---> a = 1.
and then finding b using:
2 = -1(1)^2 + b(1) + 3 ---> b = -2
To rephrase my question, does the relationship b = -2a found in the
derivative function also apply to the original function?
Regards,
Peter Barker
.
- Follow-Ups:
- Prev by Date: Re: Surely You're Joking, Mr. Ullrich !
- Next by Date: Re: Basic calculus problem - is this approach correct?
- Previous by thread: Re: JSH: another one bites the dust
- Next by thread: Re: Basic calculus problem - is this approach correct?
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|