CDA 4 FLASHCARD

Front

What is the vertex of a parabola?

Back

The vertex of a parabola is the highest or lowest point on the graph, depending on whether it opens up or down.

Front

How can you determine if a parabola opens up or down?

Back

A parabola opens up if the coefficient of the x^2 term is positive and opens down if the coefficient is negative.

Front

What is the standard form of a quadratic function?

Back

The standard form of a quadratic function is f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants.

Front

What does the 'a' value in a quadratic function indicate?

Back

The 'a' value indicates the direction of the parabola (upward if a > 0, downward if a < 0) and affects the width of the parabola.

Front

What is the range of a downward-opening parabola?

Back

The range of a downward-opening parabola is all real numbers less than or equal to the y-coordinate of the vertex.

Front

What is the significance of the vertex in a parabola?

Back

The vertex represents the maximum or minimum value of the function, depending on the direction the parabola opens.

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

How do you find the x-intercepts of a parabola?

Back

To find the x-intercepts, set the quadratic function equal to zero and solve for x.

Front

What is the focus of a parabola?

Back

The focus is a point located inside the parabola where all the points on the parabola are equidistant from the focus and the directrix.

Front

What is the directrix of a parabola?

Back

The directrix is a line that is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and is used in the definition of a parabola.