Difference between revisions of "Parabola"
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| − | A '''parabola''' is a type of [[conic section]]. A parabola is a [[locus]] of points that are equidistant from a point (the [[ | + | A '''parabola''' is a type of [[conic section]]. A parabola is a [[locus]] of points that are equidistant from a point (the [[focus]]) and a line (the [[directrix]]). |
== Parabola Equations == | == Parabola Equations == | ||
| − | There are several "standard" ways to write the equation of a parabola. The first is polynomial form: <math>y = a{x}^2+b{x}+c</math> where a, b, and c are constants. The second is completed square form, or <math>y=a(x- | + | There are several "standard" ways to write the equation of a parabola. The first is polynomial form: <math>y = a{x}^2+b{x}+c</math> where a, b, and c are constants. The second is completed square form, or <math>y=a(x-h)^2+k</math> where a, h, and k are constants and the vertex is (h,k). The third way is the conic section form, or <math>y^2</math><math>=4px</math> or <math>x^2=4py</math> where the p is a constant, and is the distance from the focus to the directrix. |
Revision as of 18:15, 19 June 2006
A parabola is a type of conic section. A parabola is a locus of points that are equidistant from a point (the focus) and a line (the directrix).
Parabola Equations
There are several "standard" ways to write the equation of a parabola. The first is polynomial form: 
where a, b, and c are constants. The second is completed square form, or 
where a, h, and k are constants and the vertex is (h,k). The third way is the conic section form, or 
or 
where the p is a constant, and is the distance from the focus to the directrix.
