Describing Parabolas

Front

What is a parabola?

Back

A parabola is a symmetrical, U-shaped curve that can open upwards or downwards, defined by a quadratic function.

Front

What are the characteristics of parabolas?

Back

Key characteristics include: concave up or down, vertex, axis of symmetry, and x-intercepts.

Front

What is the vertex of a parabola?

Back

The vertex is the highest or lowest point of the parabola, depending on its orientation.

Front

What does it mean if a parabola opens upwards?

Back

If a parabola opens upwards, it has a minimum point at its vertex.

Front

What does it mean if a parabola opens downwards?

Back

If a parabola opens downwards, it has a maximum point at its vertex.

Front

How do you find the y-intercept of a parabola?

Back

The y-intercept is found by setting x=0 in the quadratic equation and solving for y.

Front

What is the axis of symmetry in a parabola?

Back

The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that divides the parabola into two mirror-image halves, passing through the vertex.

Front

What is the standard form of a quadratic equation?

Back

The standard form is y = ax^2 + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants.

Front

What is the significance of the coefficient 'a' in a quadratic equation?

Back

The coefficient 'a' determines the direction of the parabola (upward if a > 0, downward if a < 0) and its width.

Front

How do you determine the maximum or minimum point of a parabola?

Back

The maximum or minimum point is located at the vertex of the parabola.