Find the equation in standard form of the parabola that passes through the points (2,-1) (4,-3) (1,-6)

Question

I get to step three and it looks completely wrong. Please help.

Answer 1

What is step three? Do you really think that the steps you instructor or textbook uses is universal?

The general equation for a parabola is y=ax^2 + bx +c. You need to find a, b and c.

You know

-1 = 4a + 2b + c

-3=16a +4b +c

-6= a +b + c

You need to solve this system of equations.

Can you try?