Parabola
Conics: Parabolas: Introduction (page 1 of 4)
Sections: Introduction, Finding information from the equation, Finding the equation from information, Word problems & Calculators
In algebra, dealing with parabolas usually means graphing quadratics or finding the max/min points (that is, the vertices) of parabolas for quadratic word problems. In the context of conics, however, there are some additional considerations.
To form a parabola according to ancient Greek definitions, you would start with a line and a point off to one side. The line is called the "directrix"; the point is called the "focus". The parabola is the curve formed from all the points (x, y) that are equidistant from the directrix and the focus. The line perpendicular to the directrix and passing through the focus (that is, the line that splits the parabola up the middle) is called the "axis of symmetry". The point on this axis which is exactly midway between the focus and the directrix is the "vertex"; the vertex is the point where the parabola changes direction.
"regular", or vertical, parabola (in blue), with the focus (in green) "inside" the parabola, the directrix (in purple) below the graph, the axis of symmetry (in red) passing through the focus and perpendicular to the directrix, and the vertex (in orange) on the graph
"sideways", or horizontal, parabola (in blue), with the focus (in green) "inside" the parabola, the directrix (in purple) to the left of the graph, the axis of symmetry (in red) passing through the focus and perpendicular to the directrix, and the vertex (in orange) on the graph
The name "parabola" is derived from a New Latin term that means something similar to "compare" or "balance", and refers to the fact that the distance from the parabola to the focus is always equal to (that is, is always in balance with) the distance from the parabola to the directrix. In practical terms, you'll probably only need to know that the vertex is exactly midway
Sections: Introduction, Finding information from the equation, Finding the equation from information, Word problems & Calculators
In algebra, dealing with parabolas usually means graphing quadratics or finding the max/min points (that is, the vertices) of parabolas for quadratic word problems. In the context of conics, however, there are some additional considerations.
To form a parabola according to ancient Greek definitions, you would start with a line and a point off to one side. The line is called the "directrix"; the point is called the "focus". The parabola is the curve formed from all the points (x, y) that are equidistant from the directrix and the focus. The line perpendicular to the directrix and passing through the focus (that is, the line that splits the parabola up the middle) is called the "axis of symmetry". The point on this axis which is exactly midway between the focus and the directrix is the "vertex"; the vertex is the point where the parabola changes direction.
"regular", or vertical, parabola (in blue), with the focus (in green) "inside" the parabola, the directrix (in purple) below the graph, the axis of symmetry (in red) passing through the focus and perpendicular to the directrix, and the vertex (in orange) on the graph
"sideways", or horizontal, parabola (in blue), with the focus (in green) "inside" the parabola, the directrix (in purple) to the left of the graph, the axis of symmetry (in red) passing through the focus and perpendicular to the directrix, and the vertex (in orange) on the graph
The name "parabola" is derived from a New Latin term that means something similar to "compare" or "balance", and refers to the fact that the distance from the parabola to the focus is always equal to (that is, is always in balance with) the distance from the parabola to the directrix. In practical terms, you'll probably only need to know that the vertex is exactly midway