Parabola - Wikipedia The parabola is a member of the family of conic sections In mathematics, a parabola is a plane curve which is mirror-symmetrical and is approximately U-shaped It fits several superficially different mathematical descriptions, which can all be proved to define exactly the same curves
Parabola - Formula, Graphing, Examples | Parabola Equation - Cuemath A parabola refers to an equation of a curve, such that a point on the curve is equidistant from a fixed point and a fixed line Its general equation is of the form y^2 = 4ax (if it opens left right) or of the form x^2 = 4ay (if it opens up down)
Parabola - Math is Fun A parabola is a curve where any point is at an equal distance from: Get a piece of paper, draw a straight line on it, then make a big dot for the focus (not on the line!) Now play around with some measurements until you have another dot that is exactly the same distance from the focus and the straight line
Parabola - Math. net A parabola is formed by the set of all points that are equidistant from the focus and directrix Note that the focus is always inside of the parabola and on the axis of symmetry
Parabolas - California State University, Northridge We say that the first parabola opens upwards (is a U shape) and the second parabola opens downwards (is an upside down U shape) In order to graph a parabola we need to find its intercepts, vertex, and which way it opens Given y = ax 2 + bx + c , we have to go through the following steps to find the points and shape of any parabola:
2. 4: The Parabola - Mathematics LibreTexts Previously, we learned about a parabola’s vertex and axis of symmetry Now we extend the discussion to include other key features of the parabola (Figure 2 4 3) Notice that the axis of symmetry passes through the focus and vertex and is perpendicular to the directrix The vertex is the midpoint between the directrix and the focus