Parabolas

Parabolas are essentially graphed as "U"s. Any given point on a parabola is equally as far from the focus as it is the directrix. All parabolas are symmetric about their bisector or axis of symmetry. The equation of a parabola contains a y^2 and an x, or the other way around. The vertex of a parabola is the point at the very top of the bend. The can either be the highest, lowest, farthest left, or farthest right point of the graph, depending if it's positive or nevagtive and vertical or horizontal. Parabolas are used greatly in physics, such that they display the natural tendencies of gravity.