Vertical Parabola Definition
A vertical parabola is a u-shaped curve with certain properties. In particular a vertical parabola is a parabola that opens either upwards or downwards. For a given point, called the focus, and a given line not through the focus, called the directrix, a parabola is the locus of points such that the distance to the focus equals the distance to the directrix. It is a common error to call any u-shaped curve a parabola. Any parabola must satisfy these conditions, and a parabola always has a quadratic equation.
Related Definitions
Sources
“Parabola.” Mathwords, www.mathwords.com/p/parabola.htm.
