Solving Cubic Equations: Finding a Line Through 2 Points

[programmer]

I've taken Calculus 1, but it was a few years ago, so bear with me. I understand how to use derivitaves to find critical numbers, relative max's and min's, points of inflections, incresing, decreasing. all that good stuff.

my question is, if I have two points I want a x^3 line pass through, how can i accomplish this?

 

[VietDao29]

my question is, if I have two points I want a x^3 line pass through, how can i accomplish this?

y = x³ is a curve, not a line.
I don't really get what you mean. y = x³ is a specific curve, i.e you cannot change the set of points that it passes through.
If you want to get 2 points on the curve, just choose 2 arbitrary x₁, and x₂ values, then from there find the corresponding y₁, and y₂. And you'll have 2 points that the curve passes through.

 

[programmer]

no, i want to MODIFY a x^3 equation to MAKE it pass through the points i already have set.

 

[programmer]

the first point is 0,0, and the 2nd point could be anything, how to i alter the curve to make it pass through my 2nd point?

 

[chroot]

You're trying to curve-fit a cubic to some known data set.

Look up cubic spline interpolation. Numerical Recipes in C has a section on it, with the algorithm coded in C.

http://www.library.cornell.edu/nr/cbookcpdf.html

If you only have two points, one of which is (0, 0) and the other is (x₀, y₀), just solve this equation for a:

a x_0^3 = y_0

- Warren

 

[HallsofIvy]

There are many different ways to do this. For example, as chroot said, if you want a formula of the form y= ax³, which necessarily passes through (0,0) for all a, just select a so that y₀= ax³: That is y= \left(\frac{y_0}{x_0^3}\right)x^3 passes through (0,0) and (x₀,y₀).

Or, you could alter y= x³ to look like y= x³+ ax. In order to have y= y₀ when x= x₀ we must have y_0= x_0^3+ ax_0 or, solving for a, a= \frac{y_0- x_0^3}{x_0}. That is, the graph of y= x^3+ \frac{y_0- x_0^3}{x_0}x passes through (0,0) and (x₀,y₀). There are many other possiblities. The choice is essentially arbitrary unless you have other conditions to fulfill.

 

[programmer]

well...i guess I've forgotten a lot of calculus...what does the I in those equations stand for? Integral?

 

[HallsofIvy]

well...i guess I've forgotten a lot of calculus...what does the I in those equations stand for? Integral?

?? What I are you talking about? Which response does this relate to?

 

[programmer]

nevermind...the X's in those equations look like I's...

that's retarded

 

[chroot]

nevermind...the X's in those equations look like I's...

that's retarded

Mm... that's how all x's are typeset in every math book I've ever seen.

- Warren