Instructions:
Click on the "New Parabola" Button.
Follow the instructions and hit the "enter" key when you have finished entering each step. If you need a hint, hit the "Hint" button. Please use fractions such as 2/3 not decimals.
When you have explored with the applet enough that you feel that you are comfortable with the standard and general form of a parabola,
try the following written exercises. Please answer each with a few complete sentences and then back up each answer with an example.
Written Exercises
What are the important features of a parabola that help to
determine its equation in standard form?
If the equation of a parabola is presented in standard form,
what must be done to come up with the equation in general form?
Information on Completing the Square
Information on the General Form of a Parabola and its Graph
Information on Shifting and Reflecting a Parabola
Information on the Geometry of a Parabola (Focus and Directrix)
Home Pages