Identifying Parabolas from Equations

Front

What is a parabola?

Back

A parabola is a symmetrical, U-shaped curve that can open upwards or downwards. It is the graph of a quadratic function.

Front

What is the standard form of a quadratic equation?

Back

Front

What does the coefficient 'a' in a quadratic equation determine?

Back

The coefficient 'a' determines the direction of the parabola's opening: if 'a' is positive, it opens upwards; if 'a' is negative, it opens downwards.

Front

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

Back

Front

What is the axis of symmetry in a parabola?

Back

Front

What is the significance of the discriminant in a quadratic equation?

Back

Front

What is the vertex form of a quadratic equation?

Back

Front

How can you convert a quadratic equation from standard form to vertex form?

Back

You can convert by completing the square on the standard form equation.

Front

What is the y-intercept of a parabola?

Back

Front

How do you determine the direction of a parabola from its equation?

Back

The direction is determined by the sign of the coefficient 'a': positive for upwards, negative for downwards.