How do you find the quadratic function with vertex (5,12) and point (7,15)?

1 Answer
Jan 4, 2017

Please see the explanation.

Explanation:

There are two equations that can be written.

  1. Uses the vertex form:
    #y = a(x - h)^2 + k#
    where h and k correspond to the vertex point #(h, k)# and you solve for a using the specified point.
  2. Uses the vertex form:
    #x = a(y - k)^2 + h#
    where h and k correspond to the vertex point #(h, k)# and you solve for a using the specified point.

Substitute the vertex #(5,12)# into both forms:

#y = a(x - 5)^2 + 12" [1]"#
#x = a(y - 12)^2 + 5" [2]"#

Using the specified point #(7,15)#, substitute 7 for x and 15 for y into equations [1] and [2]:

#15 = a(7 - 5)^2 + 12#
#7 = a(15 - 12)^2 + 5#

Solve for for a :

#15 = a(7 - 5)^2 + 12#
#7 = a(15 - 12)^2 + 5#

#15 = a(2)^2 + 12#
#7 = a(3)^2 + 5#

#4a = 3#
#9a = 2#

#a = 3/4#
#a = 2/9#

Substitute #3/4# for a into equation [1} and #2/9# for a into equation [2]:

#y = 3/4(x - 5)^2 + 12" [3]"#
#x = 2/9(y - 12)^2 + 5" [4]"#

Here is a graph showing that both equations [3] and [4] have the specified vertex and pass through the specified point:

Desmos.com

However, you asked for a function, Equation [3] is the only function. Equation [4] is not a function.