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smc

algebra senior

Problem

In order to draw a graph of , a table of values was constructed. These values of the function for a set of equally spaced increasing values of were , and . The one which is incorrect is:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Solution
Since the polynomial is quadratic, its second differences must be constant. Taking the first differences, we have This leads to a common second difference of , with the only discrepancy around the point . Observe that if this point were instead , the common second difference would, indeed be for all data points. Therefore the answer is , or
Final answer
E