Linear Algebra - Cubic Equation from Given Points

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 4K views
Cod
Messages
325
Reaction score
4
Linear Algebra -- Cubic Equation from Given Points

Homework Statement



Find the equation to the third polynomial that flows through the given points: (0,1); (1,0); (-1,0); (2, -15).

Homework Equations



f(t) = a + bt + ct^2 + dt^4

Need to find a, b, c, and d.

The Attempt at a Solution



See attachment. When I plug my answer back in, it obviously doesn't work; however, I cannot figure out where I missed up the matrix.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org


There is an error in the last column of your third matrix. You did not subtract 1 in the last column. It should be 0 2 4 8 -16, not -15.
 


Thanks for catching that mistake. Found another algebra mistake in another matrix, but all in all, I figured everything out. Thanks again for pointing out my miscue.