Identify parts of a parabola

Front

What is a Parabola?

Back

The graph of a quadratic function.

Front

What is the vertex of the parabola?

Back

The highest or lowest point of a parabola.

Front

How many zeros does a parabola have if it intersects the x-axis at two points?

Back

2.

Front

What are the x-intercepts of a parabola?

Back

The points where the parabola crosses the x-axis.

Front

What is the standard form of a quadratic function?

Back

y = ax^2 + bx + c.

Front

What does the 'a' in the quadratic function y = ax^2 + bx + c determine?

Back

The direction and width of the parabola.

Front

What is the axis of symmetry in a parabola?

Back

A vertical line that divides the parabola into two mirror-image halves.

Front

How do you find the vertex of a parabola given in standard form?

Back

Use the formula x = -b/(2a) to find the x-coordinate, then substitute back to find the y-coordinate.

Front

What is the significance of the vertex in a parabola?

Back

It represents the maximum or minimum value of the quadratic function.

Front

What are the y-intercepts of a parabola?

Back

The points where the parabola crosses the y-axis.