Mth 163
Why is it that when I find the three constants for a(t^2)+b(t)+c and I put it back in my equation that the answer is very different than what the graph shows? Isn't c constant in each equation?
If you find the values of a, b and c by finding the values of y and t from three points on the graph and correctly substituting them into the form
y = a t^2 + b t + c ,
you will get three simultaneous equations for a, b and c.
If you
1. substitute these values back into the form y = a t^2 + b t + c, then
2. substitute the t value of your first point,
you will get the y value of your first point.
If you substitute the t value of your second point, you will get the y value of your second point. Same for the t and y values of your third point.
If your results don't match, then you made a mistake somewhere in the process.
It's not unusual to make a mistake in the process, since there are many steps and if you make one small mistake everything else will end up wrong.
However do make sure you are doing the process correctly.