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Which Parabola?

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
  • Problem
  • Student Solutions

Isobel from Wycombe High School has first identified the given equations as L and K, and then obtained I and J by reflecting these two in the x-axis, and finally obtained the remaining equations by translating I,J,K,L to the left by 6 for E,F,G,H and by 12 for B,A,C,D. This gives the following expressions:

A: $y=-(-(x+12)^2+12(x+12)-36)$
B: $y=-((x+12)^2-12(x+12)+27)$
C: $y=-(x+12)^2+12(x+12)-36$
D: $y=(x+12)^2-12(x+12)+27$
E: $y=-((x+6)^2-12(x+6)+27)$
F: $y=-(-(x+6)^2+12(x+6)-36)$
G: $y=-(x+6)^2+12(x+6)-36$
H: $y=(x+6)^2-12(x+6)+27$
I:  $y=-(x^2-12x+27)$
J: $y=-(-x^2+12x-36)$
K: $y=-x^2+12x-36$
L: $y=x^2-12x+27$

When expanded out this gives the simplified equations for the parabolas as:

A: $y=x^2+12x+36$
B: $y=-x^2-12x-27$
C: $y=-x^2-12x-36$
D: $y=x^2+12x+27$
E: $y=-x^2+9$
F: $y=x^2$
G: $y=-x^2$
H: $y=x^2-9$
I:  $y=-x^2+12x-27$
J: $y=x^2-12x+36$
K: $y=-x^2+12x-36$
L: $y=x^2-12x+27$

(Another way of getting B,A,C,D is by reflecting I,J,K,L in the y-axis instead of translating to the left by 12)

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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