Answer to Question #226447 in Algebra for joy

Question

Suppose an x-y axis is superimposed on the map with its origin at Des Moines, Iowa. Write the equation for the parabola that would represent the cold front. Let x be in hundreds of miles. Verify your equation on your graphing calculator. 

Answer 1

Based on the problem, the cold front is in the shape of a parabola. Therefore, the function is of the second degree or a quadratic function. Since the graph of the parabola is curved upwards and its degree is 2 which is even, the leading coefficient is positive.