Math
Parabolas.
Definition
A U-shaped curve that is the graph of a quadratic function or the set of all points equidistant from a fixed point (focus) and a fixed line (directrix). Parabolas can open up, down, left, or right.
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 The path of a thrown ball follows a parabolic arc
- 2 y = x² is the simplest upward-opening parabola
- 3 Satellite dishes use parabolic shapes to focus signals at the focus point
Key Fact
Standard forms: y = a(x-h)² + k (vertical) or x = a(y-k)² + h (horizontal); vertex at (h,k)