Quadratic equation coefficient question

[Zeeko]

Working my way through a textbook and seem to have come a bit unstuck at understanding coefficients.

The textbook says that this equation, which is being used as a computer code in the example, must contain an error by considering the coefficient of x^2.

Trouble is it either doesn’t explain why there must be an error very well or I’m just not able to understand why.
Was wondering if someone could shed some light on this?
Here’s the quadratic:

y = 4.862x^2− 7.211x + 4.836

Thanks in advance.

-Zeeko

 

[Steven G]

In a quadratic equation a, b and c can be any real number as long as a is not zero.The coefficients in your equation are fine.

 

[Otis]

… this equation … used as … code in the example, must contain an error by considering the coefficient of x^2. [Textbook] doesn’t explain

y = 4.862x^2− 7.211x + 4.836

Hi Zeeko. Please post the given example, so that we may understand the context. There are different possibilities (eg: roundoff error; significant digits; error in logic).

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