Subject Code Math 2 Intermediate Algebra

Module Code 10.0 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling

Lesson Code 10.1.2 Building Quadratic Models From Data
Time Frame 30 Minutes

In this learning guide, quadratic functions will be used to solve problems that occur in real-life
situations.

FINDING THE QUADRATIC FUNCTION GIVEN THREE POINTS

Two points are needed to define a line. For a parabola, at least three points are needed especially if
the vertex is not known.

FINDING THE QUADRATIC FUNCTION GIVEN THREE POINTS

Step 1. Graph the given data set.

If we let � � = �, we have � = �� + �, which is a linear equation in two2variables. We also recall
Step 2. Substitute the points (� , �1 ), (�2 , �2 ) and (�3 , �3 ) to � � = �� + �� + � and create a system
the other forms of a linear equation in two1 variables (LETV) summarized below.
of linear equations in three variables.
Let �, � and � be the slope, the � -intercept and � -intercept, respectively. Also, let (�1 , �1 ) and
Step 3. Solve the system of linear equations in three variables using elimination or substitution method.
�2 , �2 be two distinct arbitrary points on the line. We have the following forms of a LETV.
Step 4. Substitute the solution of the system to � � = ��2 + �� + �.
Step 5. Graph the parabola.

Example 1. Find a quadratic function passing through the points (0, 2), (2, 10) and (8, 2).

Solution:
Step 1. Graph the given data set.

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Step 2. Substitute the points (�, �), (�, ��) and (�, �) to � � = ��� + �� + � to create a system of
linear equations.
0� + 0� + � = 2 (1)
4� + 2� + � = 10 (2)
64� + 8� + � = 2 (3)

Step 3. Solve the system of linear equations in three variables.

Recall the lesson in Module 4.

Simplify the first equation.

�=2
4� + 2� + � = 10
64� + 8� + � = 2

Substitute � = 2 to the remaining two equations.

4� + 2� + 2 = 10
64� + 8� + 2 = 2

Add −2 to both sides of the equations.

4� + 2� = 8 (4)
64� + 8� = 0 (5)

We divide equation 4 by 2 and equation 5 by 8 to simplify the system.

2� + � = 4 (6)
8� + � = 0 (7)

We eliminate the variable � by subtracting equations 6 and 7.

−6� = 4
4 Divide by −6
�=
−6
2 Simplify the fraction
� =−
3

2
We substitute � =− 3 to equation 6.

2
2 − +�=4
3
4
− +�=4
3
4 Add
4
to both sides
�=4+ 3
3

16
�=
3

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 2 16
The values are � =− 3, � = 3
and � = 2.

Step 4. Substitute the solution of the system to � � = ��� + �� + �.

2 16
The quadratic function passing through (0, 2), (2, 10) and (8, 2) is � � =− 3 �2 + 3
� + 2.

Step 5. Graph the parabola.

2 16
Thus, the quadratic function passing through (0, 2), (2, 10) and (8, 2) is � � =− 3 �2 + 3
� + 2.

Example 2. A shot-putter throws a ball at an inclination of 45o to the horizontal. The following data
represent the height of the ball ℎ at the instant that it has traveled � feet horizontally. (Sullivan, 2012, p. 308)

Distance (feet) Height (feet)

20 25
40 40
60 55
80 65
100 71
120 77
160 75
180 71
200 64

From the given data set, predict the distance the ball travelled as it hits the ground.

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Solution:
Step 1: Graph the given data set.

Height (feet)

Distance (feet)

From the scatterplot above, we can visualize a parabola. This means that the given data can be
modeled using a quadratic function. To determine the quadratic model from the given data set, we choose
three points, (40, 40), (120, 77) and (200, 64). Then we follow the same steps being done in the previous
example.

Step 2. Substitute the points (��, ��), (���, ��) and (���, ��) to � � = ��� + �� + �.

Step 3. Solve the system of linear equations in three variables.

1600� + 40� + � = 40 (8)
14400� + 120� + � = 77 (9)
40000� + 200� + � = 64 (10)

To solve the system, we pair equations 8 and 9, and then equations 9 and 10.
1600� + 40� + � = 40 14400� + 120� + � = 77
14400� + 120� + � = 77 40000� + 200� + � = 64

Eliminate � in both systems. This will result to another system.

−12800� − 80� =− 37 (11)
−25600� − 80� = 13 (12)

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 We subtract equations 11 and 12 to eliminate �.

12800� =− 50

−50 Divide by 12800

�=
12800
−1 Simplify fraction
�=
256

−1
We substitute � = 256 to equation 11 to determine �.

−1
−12800 − 80� =− 37
256

50 − 80� =− 37

−80� =− 50 − 37 Add −50 to both sides

−80� =− 87 Divide the equation by −80

87
�=
80

1 87
Substitute � =− 256 and � = 80 to equation 8.

1 87
1600 − + 40 + � = 40
256 80
25 87
− + + � = 40
4 2

149
+ � = 40
4

149
� =− + 40
4
11
�=
4

Step 4. Substitute the solution of the system to � � = ��� + �� + �.

The quadratic function passing through (40, 40), (120, 77) and 200, 64 is
1 87 11
� � =− 256 �2 + 80 � + 4
.

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Step 5. Graph the parabola.

Height

Distance (feet)

The parabola only passes through the three points. However, we can see from the graph that the
parabola is relatively close to the other remaining points. To verify the function value of the other points
using the derived function, we have the following computation below.

Approximate Value Actual Value

1 87 11 25
� 20 =− 20 2 + 20 + = 22.94
256 80 4
1 87 11 55
� 60 =− 60 2 + 60 + = 53.94
256 80 4
1 87 11 65
� 80 =− 80 2 + 80 + = 64.75
256 80 4
1 87 11 71
� 100 =− 100 2 + 100 + = 72.44
256 80 4
1 87 11 75
� 160 =− 160 2 + 160 + = 76.75
256 80 4
1 87 11 71
� 180 =− 180 2 + 180 + = 71.94
256 80 4

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BEST FIT PARABOLA

From the previous learning guide, we can find a line of best fit using Geogebra. We can also find the
best-fit parabola using Geogebra.

FINDING THE PARABOLA OF BEST FIT IN GEOGEBRA

Step 1. Plot the points in Geogebra.

Step 2. In the input bar, type the command FitPoly(<List of Points>, Degree). The list of points is the
set containing all the points. Set the degree as 2.

The graph above shows the the best-fit parabola of the given data set and it is represented by the
function � � =− 0.0037�2 + 1.0318� + 5.6667. We then verify whether the predicted value from the
best-fit parabola is relatively close to the actual value- the given data set.

Approximate Value Actual Value

� 20 =− 0.0037 20 2 + 1.0318(20) + 5.6667 = 24.82 25
� 40 =− 0.0037 20 2 + 1.0318(40) + 5.6667 = 41 40
� 60 =− 0.0037 60 2 + 1.0318(60) + 5.6667 = 54.21 55
� 80 =− 0.0037 80 2 + 1.0318(80) + 5.6667 = 64.45 65
� 100 =− 0.0037 100 2 + 1.0318(100) + 5.6667 = 71.72 71
� 120 =− 0.0037 120 2 + 1.0318(120) + 5.6667 = 76.03 77
� 160 =− 0.0037 160 2 + 1.0318(160) + 5.6667 = 75.73 75
� 180 =− 0.0037 180 2 + 1.0318(180) + 5.6667 = 71.12 71
� 200 =− 0.0037 200 2 + 1.0318(200) + 5.6667 = 63.55 64
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 Finally, to solve the distance the ball travelled as it hits the ground, we only need to determine the �-
intercept of the parabola or the zeros of the quadratic function.

Using Geogebra to get the �-value when � = 0, the roots are −5.3875 and 283.3467. Since
distance cannot be negative, we can predict that the ball will hit the ground 283.3467 feet from the shot-
putter.

Example 3. A student is making and selling pastillas. The profit for the sold pastillas is shown below.

Number of sold pastillas Profit (in Php)

30 18.00
35 20.00
40 23.00
45 25.00
50 28.00
55 30.00
60 29.00
65 26.00
70 25.00

Predict the maximum profit the student can earn using the model you created based on the given
data set.

Solution:
Step 1: Graph the given data set.
Number of sold pastillas

Profit earned (Php)

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Step 2: Determine the best-fit parabola using Geogebra.

Since the given data set is having a shape like that of a parabola, then we will use Geogebra to
determine its best-fit parabola equation and graph. The best-fit parabola for the given data set is
� � =− 0.017�2 + 1.877� − 24.5 and its graph is shown above.

Step 3: Solve the problem.

To predict the maximum profit the student can earn, we only need to determine the vertex. The
computation to find the vertex is shown below.

� =− 0.017 � = 1.877 Coefficients of the quadratic function

� � Formula of the coordinates of the
Vertex − 2� , � −
2� vertex
� 1.877 Solving for the x-coordinate of the
− =− = 55.206
2� 2 −0.017 vertex

� 55.206 = 28.308 Solving for the y-coordinate of teh

vertex
Vertex 55.206, 28.308

From the derived quadratic model using the FitPoly function in Geogebra, the maximum profit is
Php 28.308 which is close to the actual maximum profit of Php 30.00.

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REFERENCES:

Albarico, J.M. (2013). THINK Framework. Based on Ramos, E.G. and N. Apolinario. (n.d.) Science LINKS.
Quezon City: Rex Bookstore Inc.

Sullivan, Michael. (2012). Algebra and Trigonometry (9th ed.). Boston: Prentice Hall

-END-

Prepared by: Ronnie John A. Pascua Reviewed by: Fortunato A. Tacuboy III
Position: Special Science Teacher (SST) III Position: Special Science Teacher (SST) V
Campus: PSHS-Iocos Region Campus Campus: PSHS-Main Campus

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