Final answer:
The constant of variation for a quadratic equation is the coefficient of the quadratic term 'a', which can be obtained directly from the standard form at² + bt + c = 0. For instance, if a = 4.90, b = -14.3, and c = -20.0 in the quadratic equation, the constant of variation is 4.90.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the constant of variation for a quadratic equation, we typically refer to the coefficient of the quadratic term. When dealing with a quadratic equation of the form at² + bt + c = 0, the constant 'a' is associated with the quadratic variation directly.
If you have specific values for a, b, and c, such as a = 4.90, b = -14.3, and c = -20.0, solving the quadratic equation will provide you with the roots or solutions to the equation using the quadratic formula, which is x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / (2a). The constant of quadratic variation would be the value of 'a', which in this case is 4.90.