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What is the definition of parabola?

Updated: 10/31/2022
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11y ago

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There are several ways of defining a parabola. Here are some:

  • Given a straight line and a point not on that line, a parabola is the locus of all points that are equidistant from that point (the focus) and the line (directrix).
  • A parabola is the intersection of the surface of a right circular cone and a plane parallel to a generating line of that surface.
  • A parabola is the graph of a quadratic equation.


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Q: What is the definition of parabola?
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What is the Definition of vertex of a parabola?

the point in which the parabola cannot go any higher or lower in a coordinate plane


What is the geometric definition of parabola?

It is a section of a right circular cone by a plane that is parallel to one generating line of the cone.


What is the directrix of a parabola?

"From the geometric point of view, the given point is the focus of the parabola and the given line is its directrix. It can be shown that the line of symmetry of the parabola is the line perpendicular to the directrix through the focus. The vertex of the parabola is the point of the parabola that is closest to both the focus and directrix."-http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rmuhamma/Algorithms/MyAlgorithms/parabola.htm"A line perpendicular to the axis of symmetry used in the definition of a parabola. A parabola is defined as follows: For a given point, called the focus, and a given line not through the focus, called the directrix, a parabola is the locus, or set of points, such that the distance to the focus equals the distance to the directrix."-http://www.mathwords.com/d/directrix_parabola.htm


How do you find the endpoints of a parabola when you have the function of the line?

A parabola has no endpoints: it extends to infinity.A parabola has no endpoints: it extends to infinity.A parabola has no endpoints: it extends to infinity.A parabola has no endpoints: it extends to infinity.


Are the directrix and focus different distances from a given point on a parabola?

One definition of a parabola is the set of points that are equidistant from a given line called the directrix and a given point called the focus. So, no. The distances are not different, they are the same. The distance between the directrix and a given point on the parabola will always be the same as the distance between that same point on the parabola and the focus. Any point where those two distances are equal would be on the parabola somewhere and all the points where those two distances are different would not be on the parabola. Note that the distance from a point to the directrix is definied as the perpendicular distance (also known as the minimum distance).


Is a parabola the same as a parabolic curve?

No. If you tilt a parabola, you will still have a parabolic curve but it will no longer be a parabola.


Parabola is the point at which the parabola is at its lowest or highest point?

A parabola is NOT a point, it is the whole curve.


What curved path traveled by a thrown baseball is known as?

projectile motion


The maximum or minimum of a parabola depending on whether the parabola opens up or down?

A parabola opening up has a minimum, while a parabola opening down has a maximum.


What is the parabola effect?

what are the effects of the sign a and n to the parabola


What is the diameter of a parabola?

It is the bisector of any 2 parallel chords drawn to the parabola. It is always parallel to the axis of the parabola.


What is the name of the point you use to define a parabola?

All of the points on a parabola define a parabola. However, the vertex is the point in which the y value is only used for one point on the parabola.