Chapter 9. Quadratic Equations: Getting out of line

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Not everything in life is linear. But just because an equation doesn’t graph as a straight line, doesn’t mean it’s unimportant. In fact, some of the most important unknowns you’ll have to work with in life end up being non-linear. Sometimes you’ve got to deal with terms that have exponents greater than 1. In fact, some equations with squared terms graph as curves! How’s that work? Well, there’s only one way to find out...

Head First U is at war!

HFU has a tradition of frat wars during pledge week.

The pledges have to nail the opposing fraternity’s president with water balloons. Jon’s a pledge and has to hit the president at least three times during pledge week, or he’s got no hope of getting into Theta Theta Pi.

And, guess who he’s asked for a little help... you!

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Traditionally, the water balloons have been launched by hand, or maybe with a slingshot. Jon is out to make Theta Theta Pi history, though...

Jon’s upgrading his technology

Jon’s bringing in a catapult. With a catapult, he can be more accurate and hit Pi Gamma Delta’s president even harder, and that means he’ll get into the frat for sure!

The catapult comes with a range equation in ...

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