Graphing Conic Sections Part 3: Parabolas in Standard Form

What is the defining characteristic of a parabola?

• It is the set of all points equidistant from a fixed point.

• It is the set of all points equidistant from a fixed line.

• It is the set of all points equidistant from a fixed point and a fixed line.

• It is the set of all points equidistant from two fixed points.

What is the first step in converting a standard form parabola to vertex form?

• Factor out the leading coefficient from the first two terms.

• Add a constant to both sides.

• Subtract a constant from both sides.

• Multiply the equation by a constant.

When completing the square, what do you do after factoring out the leading coefficient?

• Add the square of half the coefficient of x inside the parentheses.

• Subtract the square of half the coefficient of x inside the parentheses.

• Multiply the square of half the coefficient of x inside the parentheses.

• Divide the square of half the coefficient of x inside the parentheses.

How can you determine if a parabola opens upwards or downwards?

• By checking the sign of the constant term.

• By checking the sign of the vertex.

• By checking the sign of the leading coefficient.

• By checking the sign of the middle term.

What is the formula for finding the x-coordinate of the vertex in a standard form parabola?

• -2a/b

• b/2a

• -b/2a

• 2a/b

What is the y-intercept of a parabola in standard form?

• The value of the function when x = 2.

• The value of the function when x = 0.

• The value of the function when x = -1.

• The value of the function when x = 1.

Why are parabolas important in physics?

• They describe the path of light rays.

• They describe the path of sound waves.

• They describe the path of electric currents.

• They describe the path of projectiles.