[Math] System of equations – what are the values of the coefficients of a quadratic parabola

algebra-precalculus

In the process of relearning the mathematical basics I'm stumbling over this problem:

A quadratic parabola $y = ax^2 + bx + c $ goes through the points A(1/2), B(3/7) and C(-1/1). What are the values of the coefficients $a$, $b$ and $c$?

This is a problem presented in the section about "Systems of Equalities", but I don't have the slightest idea, how to use the coordinates to calculate the values of the coefficients.

How can I solve this problem with a system of equalities?

Best Answer

Assuming Mark Dominus' interpretation of what you wrote, the fact that the parabola passes through the point $(1,2)$ tells you that if you plug in $x = 1$ and $y = 2$ into the general form of the parabola, the equation on the coefficients must be satisfied for your particular parabola. In this case, you get $2 = a(1)^2 + b(1) + c$ or $a + b + c = 2$. Similar reasoning with the other two points will produce for you two more equations involving $a, b, c$. Thus, you will obtain a system of three equations in three unknowns. Have you learned the techniques for solving such systems?