Find a and b so that the polynomial, p(x)=x^2+ax-b passes through the points (6,-9) and (1, 16)

The given equation is:

p(x) = x^2 + ax - b

We write this in terms of y:

y = x^2 + ax – b

To solve for the values of the constants a and b, we are given the following conditions:

When x = 6, y = -9

When x = 1, y = 16

From these conditions, we can formulate two equation by substituting the values of y:

-9 = 6^2 + a(6) – b

6a = b – 45                           ---> 1

16 = 1^2 + a(1) – b

a = b + 15                             ---> 2

Combining equations 1 and 2:

6 (b + 15) = b – 45

6b + 90 = b – 45

5b = -135

b = -27

calculating for a using equation 1:

a = b + 15

a = -27 + 15

a = -12

Answers:

a = -12

b = -27

first, we define the variables:

x: number of years after 1950

f (x): amount of vinyl sold.

then, with the variables defined, we have:

68594 vinyl records were sold in 1958 > f (8) = 68594

91299 vinyl records were sold in 1961 > f (11) = 91299

38720 vinyl records were sold in 1952 > f (2) = 38720

161743 vinyl records were sold in 1967 > f (17) = 161743

read more on -

step-by-step explanation:

part a

answer: a reasonable domain is where n is a real number. so n can be between 0 and 10. both endpoints are included.

work shown:

n is the number of days after the experiment starts. the smallest n can be is n = 0 which means that 0 days have gone by, and we're at the start. to find out how large n should be, then replace f(n) with 16.13 and solve for n. use logarithms to isolate the exponent.

f(n) = 12*(1.03)^n

16.13 = 12*(1.03)^n

16.13/12 = (1.03)^n

1.34416666666667 = (1.03)^n

(1.03)^n = 1.34416666666667

log[ (1.03)^n ] = log[ 1.34416666666667 ]

n*log[ 1.03 ] = log[ 1.34416666666667 ]

n = log[ 1.34416666666667 ]/log[ 1.03 ]

n = 10.0062999823929

this rounds to n = 10 which is fairly close but not 100% perfect. so this is the largest n can be.

note: if you plug n = 10 into f(n), you'll get roughly 16.127 which rounds to 16.13 (this comes up again in part c)

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part b

answer: the y intercept is 12. it represents the starting height of the plant in cm.

work shown:

plug n = 0 into the f(n) function. simplify

f(n) = 12*(1.03)^n

f(0) = 12*(1.03)^0

f(0) = 12*(1)

f(0) = 12

on day n = 0, aka the starting point, the height f(n) is 12 cm

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part c

answer: the average rate of change is approximately 0.43061036458991 (round however you need to). this represents the average growth rate from day n = 3 to day n = 10. so the plant grew roughly 0.43 cm per day during this timespan, assuming you round to 2 decimal places.

work shown:

compute f(3)

f(n) = 12*(1.03)^n

f(3) = 12*(1.03)^3

f(3) = 13.112724 < we'll use this later

compute f(10)

f(n) = 12*(1.03)^n

f(10) = 12*(1.03)^10

f(10) = 16.1269965521294 < we'll use this later

now use the formula below with a = 3 and b = 10

aroc = average rate of change

aroc = [ f(b) - f(a) ]/[ b - a ]

aroc = [ f(10) - f(3) ]/[ 10 - 3 ]

aroc = (16.1269965521294 - 13.112724)/(10 - 3)

aroc = 3.0142725521294/7

aroc = 0.43061036458991

round this however you need to

note: the plant grew approximately 3.01 cm over 7 days, so roughly 0.43 cm per day is the average growth rate (if you were to round to 2 decimal places).