Difference between revisions of "Parabola"
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== Parabola Equations == | == Parabola Equations == | ||
| − | There are several "standard" ways to write the equation of a parabola. The first is polynomial form: y = | + | There are several "standard" ways to write the equation of a parabola. The first is polynomial form: <math>y = a</math><math>x^2</math><math>+bx+c</math> where a, b, and c are constants. The second is completed square form, or <math>y=a(x-k)^2+c</math> where a, k, and c are constants. 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 16:41, 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 vertex) 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, k, and c are constants. 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.
