what is a parabola
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A parabola is a specific type of curve that is formed by the graph of a quadratic equation. It is a symmetric curve that features a single, distinct turning point called the vertex.
To understand what a parabola is, you can start by learning about the basic form of a quadratic equation, which is written as y = ax^2 + bx + c. In this equation, a, b, and c are coefficients that determine the shape and position of the parabola.
To graph a parabola from its quadratic equation, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the values of a, b, and c in the quadratic equation.
2. Determine the vertex of the parabola using the formula x = -b / (2a) and substituting this value back into the equation to find the corresponding y-coordinate.
3. Find two additional points on the parabola by selecting values for x and plugging them into the equation to solve for the corresponding y-values.
4. Plot the vertex and the additional points on a graph and connect them to form the parabola.
For more detailed explanations and examples, you can visit the link provided (http://www.answers.com/parabola).