Tables

Tables

Example 2

Find the equation that models this table in factored form.

x

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

y

5

2

0

-1

-1

0

2

Step 1. Find the second difference.

x

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

y

5

2

0

-1

-1

0

2

TablesEx2-1



Step 2. Find the a-value.

The a-value is found by dividing the second difference by 2.

TablesEx2-2

Step 3 . Find the roots.

The roots of the table are the points where y = 0.
Therefore the roots of this table are (0, 0) and (3, 0).

Step 4 . Substitute a and the roots into the equation.

TablesEx2-3