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SSAT Upper Level Math : How to find the equation of a curve

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

An ellipse passes through points (4, 6) , (10,6), (7, 2), (7, 10) .

Give its equation.

Possible Answers:

$\frac{(x-6)^{2}}{9} + \frac{(y-7)^{2}}{16} = 1$

$\frac{(x +7)^{2}}{16} + \frac{(y+6)^{2}}{9}= 1$

$\frac{(x +7)^{2}}{9} + \frac{(y+6)^{2}}{16} = 1$

$\frac{(x-7)^{2}}{9} + \frac{(y-6)^{2}}{16} = 1$

$\frac{(x-6)^{2}}{16} + \frac{(y-7)^{2}} {9}= 1$

Correct answer:

$\frac{(x-7)^{2}}{9} + \frac{(y-6)^{2}}{16} = 1$

Explanation:

The equation of the ellipse with center (h,k) , horizontal axis of length , and vertical axis of length is

$\frac{(x-h)^{2}}{a^{2}} + \frac{(y-k)^{2}}{b^{2}} = 1$

(4, 6) and (10,6) are the endpoints of a horizontal line segment with midpoint

$\left ( \frac{4+10}{2}, \frac{6+6}{2} \right )$ , or (7,6)

and length 10-4= 6 .

(7, 2) and (7, 10) are the endpoints of a vertical line segment with midpoint

$\left ( \frac{7+7}{2}, \frac{2+10}{2} \right )$ , or (7,6)

and length 10-2 = 8

Because their midpoints coincide, these are the endpoints of the horizontal axis and vertical axis, respectively, of the ellipse, and the common midpoint (7,6) is the center.

Therefore,

h = 7 and k = 6 ;

2a = 6 and 2b= 8 ; consequently a = 3 and b = 4 .

The equation of the ellipse is

$\frac{(x-7)^{2}}{3^{2}} + \frac{(y-6)^{2}}{4^{2}} = 1$ , or

$\frac{(x-7)^{2}}{9} + \frac{(y-6)^{2}}{16} = 1$

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Example Question #512 : Ssat Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

A horizontal parabola on the coordinate plane (0,4) as its only -intercept; its -intercept is (6,0) .

Give its equation.

Possible Answers:

Insufficient information is given to determine the equation.

$x = \frac{1}{9} y^{2}-\frac{4}{3}y+4$

$x =- \frac{1}{9} y^{2}+4$

$x = \frac{8}{3}y^{2}-\frac{64}{3}y+\frac{128}{3}$

$x = \frac{3}{8} y^{2}-3y+6$

Correct answer:

$x = \frac{3}{8} y^{2}-3y+6$

Explanation:

If a horizontal parabola has only one -intercept, which here is (0,4) , that point doubles as its vertex as well.

The equation of a horizontal parabola, in vertex form, is

$x = a(y-k)^{2}+h$ ,

where (h,k) is the vertex. Set h = 0,k=4 :

$x = a(y-4)^{2}+0$

$x = a(y-4)^{2}$

To find , use the -intercept, setting x= 6, y=0 :

$6 = a(0-4)^{2}$

$6 = a( -4)^{2}$

6 = 16a

$a = \frac{6}{16} = \frac{3}{8}$

The equation, in vertex form, is $x = \frac{3}{8}(y-4)^{2}$ . In standard form:

$x = \frac{3}{8}(y^{2}-8y+16)$

$x = \frac{3}{8} y^{2}-3y+6$

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Example Question #511 : Ssat Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

A horizontal parabola on the coordinate plane has vertex (-3, -6) ; one of its -intercepts is (0, 4) .

Give its equation.

Possible Answers:

$x = \frac{9}{10} y^{2}+ \frac{27}{5} y+ \frac{81}{10}$

$x = \frac{3}{100} y^{2}+\frac{9}{25} y-\frac{48}{25}$

$x = \frac{6}{49} y^{2}+\frac{36}{49} y-\frac{240}{49}$

$x = \frac{7}{36} y^{2}+ \frac{7}{3} y+7$

Insufficient information is given to determine the equation.

Correct answer:

$x = \frac{3}{100} y^{2}+\frac{9}{25} y-\frac{48}{25}$

Explanation:

The equation of a horizontal parabola, in vertex form, is

$x = a(y-k)^{2}+h$ ,

where (h,k) is the vertex. Set h = -3,k=-6 :

$x = a[y-(-6)]^{2}+ (-3)$

$x = a(y+6)^{2}-3$

To find , use the known -intercept, setting x =0, y=4 :

$0 = a(4+6)^{2}-3$

$0 = a\cdot 10^{2}-3$

0 =100 a-3

100a= 3

$a = \frac{3}{100}$

The equation, in vertex form, is $x = \frac{3}{100}(y+6)^{2}-3$ ; in standard form:

$x = \frac{3}{100}(y^{2}+12+36)-3$

$x = \frac{3}{100} y^{2}+\frac{9}{25} y+\frac{27}{25} - \frac{75}{25}$

$x = \frac{3}{100} y^{2}+\frac{9}{25} y-\frac{48}{25}$

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Example Question #512 : Ssat Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

A vertical parabola on the coordinate plane has -intercepts (0,2) and (0,6) , and passes through (3, -2) .

Give its equation.

Possible Answers:

$x = \frac{2}{3}y^{2}- \frac{16}{3}y+8$

$x =- \frac{2}{3}y^{2}+ \frac{16}{3}y-8$

$x = -\frac{3}{32} y^{2}+ \frac{3}{4} y- \frac{9}{8}$

Insufficient information is given to determine the equation.

$x = \frac{3}{32} y^{2}- \frac{3}{4} y+ \frac{9}{8}$

Correct answer:

$x = \frac{3}{32} y^{2}- \frac{3}{4} y+ \frac{9}{8}$

Explanation:

A horizontal parabola which passes through (0,2) and (0,6) has as its equation

x = a(y-2)(y-6) .

To find , substitute the coordinates of the third point, setting x=3,y=-2 :

3= a(-2-2)(-2-6)

3= a(-4)(-8)

3= 32a

$a = \frac{3}{32}$

The equation is therefore $x = \frac{3}{32}(y-2)(y-6)$ , which is, in standard form:

$x = \frac{3}{32}(y^{2}-8y+12)$

$x = \frac{3}{32} y^{2}- \frac{3}{4} y+ \frac{9}{8}$

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Example Question #515 : Ssat Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

A vertical parabola on the coordinate plane has -intercepts (2,0) and (6,0) , and passes through (3, -2) .

Give its equation.

Possible Answers:

$y = \frac{2}{3}x^{2}-\frac{16}{3}x+8$

$y = - \frac{3}{2}x^{2}+12x-18$

$y = x^{2}-8x+12$

$y = \frac{3}{2}x^{2}-12x+18$

$y =- \frac{2}{3}x^{2}+\frac{16}{3}x-8$

Correct answer:

$y = \frac{2}{3}x^{2}-\frac{16}{3}x+8$

Explanation:

A vertical parabola which passes through (2,0) and (6,0) has as its equation

y = a(x-2)(x-6)

To find , substitute the coordinates of the third point, setting x=3,y=-2 :

-2 = a(3-2)(3-6)

$-2 = a \cdot 1 \cdot (-3)$

-2 = -3a

$a = \frac{-2}{-3}= \frac{2}{3}$

The equation is $y = \frac{2}{3}(x-2)(x-6)$ ; expand to put it in standard form:

$y = \frac{2}{3}(x^{2}-8x+12)$

$y = \frac{2}{3}x^{2}-\frac{16}{3}x+8$

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Example Question #12 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

A horizontal parabola on the coordinate plane has -intercept (6,0) ; one of its -intercepts is (0, 2) .

Give its equation.

Possible Answers:

$x= y^{2}-5 y+ 6$

$x= -2 y^{2}+y + 6$

Insufficient information is given to determine the equation.

$x = - y^{2}- y+ 6$

$x =2y^{2}-7 y + 6$

Correct answer:

Insufficient information is given to determine the equation.

Explanation:

The equation of a horizontal parabola, in standard form, is

$x = ay^{2}+ by + c$

for some real a,b,c .

is the -coordinate of the -intercept, so c=6 , and the equation is

$x = ay^{2}+ by + 6$

Set x=0, y=2 :

$0 = a\cdot 2^{2}+ b \cdot 2 + 6$

0 = 4a+2b + 6

However, no other information is given, so the values of and cannot be determined for certain. The correct response is that insufficient information is given.

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Example Question #241 : Coordinate Geometry

A vertical parabola on the coordinate plane includes points (-2, 23), (1,5), and (3,13) .

Give its equation.

Possible Answers:

$y = 2x^{2}+10x-7$

$y = 2x^{2}+4x-1$

$y = 2x^{2}-4x+7$

$y = x^{2}-4x+8$

$y = x^{2}+4x -8$

Correct answer:

$y = 2x^{2}-4x+7$

Explanation:

The standard form of the equation of a vertical parabola is

$y=ax^{2}+bx+c$

If the values of and from each ordered pair are substituted in succession, three equations in three variables are formed:

$a\cdot (-2)^{2}+b(-2)+c = 23$

4a-2b+c = 23

$a\cdot 1^{2}+b \cdot 1+c = 5$

a+b+c = 5

$a\cdot 3^{2}+b \cdot 3+c =13$

9a+3b+c = 13

The system

4a-2b+c = 23

a+b+c = 5

9a+3b+c = 13

can be solved through the elimination method.

First, multiply the second equation by and add to the third:

9a+3b+c =13

$\underline{ -a-b-c \; \; \; =- 5 }$

8a+2b

Next, multiply the second equation by and add to the first:

4a-2b+c = 23

$\underline{ -a-b-c \; =- 5 }$

3a-3b =18

Which can be divided by 3 on both sides to yield

a-b = 6

Now solve the two-by-two system

8a+2b = 8

a-b = 6

by substitution:

a = b+ 6

8 (b+6)+2b = 8

8b+48+2b = 8

10b+48 = 8

10b= -40

b= -4

Back-solve:

a-(-4) = 6

a+4= 6

a =2

Back-solve again:

2+(-4)+c = 5

-2+c=5

c=7

The equation of the parabola is therefore

$y = 2x^{2}-4x+7$ .

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Example Question #14 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

A vertical parabola on the coordinate plane shares one -intercept with the line of the equation 2x+4y = 8 , and the other with the line of the equation 4x-2y = 12 . It also passes through (6, -4) . Give the equation of the parabola.

Possible Answers:

$y = -\frac{2}{3}x^{2}+\frac{14}{3}x-8$

$y = \frac{2}{3}x^{2}-\frac{14}{3}x+8$

The correct answer is not among the other responses.

$y = -\frac{3}{2}x^{2}+\frac{21}{2}x-18$

$y = \frac{3}{2}x^{2}- \frac{21}{2}x+18$

Correct answer:

$y = -\frac{2}{3}x^{2}+\frac{14}{3}x-8$

Explanation:

First, find the -intercepts—the points of intersection with the -axis—of the lines by substituting 0 for in both equations.

2x+4y = 8

2x+4 (0) = 8

2x = 8

x=4

(4,0) is the -intercept of this line.

4x-2y = 12

4x-2 (0)= 12

4x= 12

x= 3

(3,0) is the -intercept of this line.

The parabola has -intercepts at (3,0) and (4,0) , so its equation can be expressed as

y = a(x-3)(x-4)

for some real . To find it, substitute using the coordinates of the third point, setting x= 6, y = -4 :

-4 = a(6-3)(6-4)

$-4 = a \cdot 3 \cdot 2$

-4 = 6 a

$a = \frac{-4}{6} = -\frac{2}{3}$ .

The equation is $y = -\frac{2}{3}(x-3)(x-4)$ , which, in standard form, can be rewritten as:

$y = -\frac{2}{3}(x^{2}-7x+12)$

$y = -\frac{2}{3}x^{2}+\frac{14}{3}x-8$

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Example Question #15 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

A horizontal parabola on the coordinate plane includes points (-11, -1) (-1,1) , and (10,2) .

Give its equation.

Possible Answers:

$x= -y^{2}-4y+4$

$x=2y^{2}-11y+8$

$x=2y^{2}+5y-8$

$x= y^{2}+2y-4$

$x= y^{2}-6y+4$

Correct answer:

$x=2y^{2}+5y-8$

Explanation:

The standard form of the equation of a horizontal parabola is

$x=ay^{2}+by+ c$

If the values of and from each ordered pair are substituted in succession, three equations in three variables are formed:

$a \cdot (-1)^{2}+b \cdot (-1)+ c = -11$

a -b + c = -11

$a \cdot (1)^{2}+b \cdot 1+ c = -1$

a+b + c = -1

$a \cdot (2)^{2}+b \cdot 2+ c = 10$

4a+2b+ c = 10

The three-by-three linear system

a -b + c = -11

a+b + c = -1

4a+2b+ c = 10

can be solved by way of the elimination method.

can be found first, by multiplying the first equation by and add it to the second:

a+b + c = -1

$\underline{-a+b - c = 11}$

=10

$2b \div 2 = 10 \div 2$

b = 5

Substitute 5 for in the last two equations to form a two-by-two linear system:

a+5+ c = -1

a+5+ c - 5= -1 - 5

a + c = -6

$4a+2 \cdot 5+ c = 10$

4a+10+ c = 10

4a+10+ c- 10 = 10 - 10

4a +c = 0

The system

a + c = -6

4a +c = 0

can be solved by way of the substitution method;

4a +c = 0

4a +c -4a = 0 -4a

c = -4a

a + (-4a) = -6

-3a = -6

$-3a\div (-3) = -6 \div (-3)$

a = 2

Substitute 2 for in the top equation:

2 + c = -6

2 + c - 2= -6 - 2

c= -8

The equation is $x=2y^{2}+5y-8$ .

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SSAT Upper Level Math : How to find the equation of a curve

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Math

All SSAT Upper Level Math Resources

Example Questions

Example Question #11 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

Example Question #512 : Ssat Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

Example Question #511 : Ssat Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

Example Question #512 : Ssat Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

Example Question #515 : Ssat Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

Example Question #12 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

Example Question #241 : Coordinate Geometry

Example Question #14 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

Example Question #15 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

All SSAT Upper Level Math Resources

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