Parts of a Parabola

Front

What is the vertex of a parabola?

Back

The vertex is the highest or lowest point on the graph of a parabola, depending on its orientation.

Front

What does the y-intercept of a parabola represent?

Back

The y-intercept is the point where the parabola crosses the y-axis, represented as (0, y).

Front

What does the x-intercept of a parabola represent?

Back

The x-intercept (or zero) is the point where the parabola crosses the x-axis, represented as (x, 0).

Front

What is the axis of symmetry in a parabola?

Back

The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that divides the parabola into two mirror-image halves, passing through the vertex.

Front

How can you find the vertex of a parabola given its equation in standard form?

Back

For a parabola in the form y = ax^2 + bx + c, the vertex can be found using the formula x = -b/(2a).

Front

What is the significance of the ordered pair (2, -4) in the context of a parabola?

Back

The ordered pair (2, -4) represents the vertex of the parabola.

Front

How do you determine the y-intercept from a quadratic equation?

Back

The y-intercept can be found by evaluating the function at x = 0.

Front

What is the general shape of a parabola that opens upwards?

Back

A parabola that opens upwards has a U-shape and its vertex is the lowest point.

Front

What is the general shape of a parabola that opens downwards?

Back

A parabola that opens downwards has an inverted U-shape and its vertex is the highest point.

Front

What is the formula for the vertex form of a parabola?

Back

The vertex form of a parabola is y = a(x - h)^2 + k, where (h, k) is the vertex.