Students use their knowledge of the vertex form of a quadratic equation to graph parabolas, given a specific move to make.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Understanding the equations of parabolas

Given the focus and the directrix of a parabola, find its equation. Students receive immediate feedback and have the opportunity to try questions repeatedly, watch a video or receive hints.

This multimedia Learn Alberta math resource looks at how parabolas and polynomial equations are used to study an object's flight path. The accompanying interactive component lets students explore and make comparisons of the flight paths...

This is a TI-Navigator Activity Center file that is used as a class warm up or for checking understanding. Students are to contribute an equation of a parabola that will pass through the most number of sunflowers.

A student, in writing to Dr. Math, wants to know how to find the equation of the parabola of McDonald's arches. Dr. Math helps the student get started with the problem.

Dr. Math, in a reply to a student question, shows how a parabola is just a quadratic equation.

A lesson plan using the computers to help students understand the various forms of equations of parabola. The site requires students to use the computer and offers a possible assessment of the lesson.

Posed with a student question about equations of conics, Dr. Math provides some insight on the standard form of parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas. One example is shown.

Math teacher provides a unit on quadratic equations in which she explains the concepts of solving and graphing quadratic equations through numerous examples and graphs. Hyperlinks are available to each step that ultimately leads to...

Dr. Math, in a reply to a student's question, describes how to obtain the equation of a parabola.

This resource provides an examination of parabolas, both vertical and horizontal, and parabolic functions. It includes six examples and a chart showing how changes in the equation coincide with changes in the graph.

Dr. Math responds to a student question about parabolas. The student asks a series of questions about a parabola, including how to derive the formula of a parabola from the definition, a parabola is the set of all point equal distance...

Hotmath provides 21 practice problems dealing with systems of equations and inequalities. Each of the practice problems include a step-by-step guide for solving their algebraic problem.

A brief overview on calculating various measures of segments, like focus to vertex and vertex to directix, is given. Additionally, equations of parabolas in general, standard, and vertex forms are listed.

WebMath offers a java applet that allows you to input the equation of a parabola, in one of many forms, and gives you a graph of the parabola along with an explanation of how the graph was drawn.

This is a brief lesson plan on the parabola. The lesson plan also has links to related topics.

Dr. Math, in a reply to a student question, shows how to derive the equation of a parabola for situations when the line of symmetry is not || to one of the axes.

A student with a summertime carpenter job asks Dr. Math how to draw an arch. Dr. Math responds by showing how the equation of the parabola can be generated by having three distinct points of the parabola known.

1. Students will be able to review how to find the vertex of a parabola using a graphing calculator. 2. Students will be able to observe the relationship between the values of a, h and k and the graph of a parabola in vertex form. 3....

Through a mixture of online exploration, and teacher instruction, students will discover how parabolas are formed and will be able to use the key components from a graph (vertex, focus and directrix,) to generate the equation of a graph.

Students explore y=ax^2+bx+c using the transform graphing application. Teacher calculator is used with Navigator to send device settings, the equation format and initial coefficient values to all students. Worksheet includes all student...

This site gives a student a hint of how to determine the equation of a parabola when given three points on the parabola. The Dr. only hints at the solution, encouraging thinking on behalf of the student.

Starting with y=x^2 going all the way to (in part 2)y=ax^2+bx+c, how do changes in the quadratic equation/function change the appearance of the parabola.