Dr. Math here at the Math Forum, in a reply to a student question, helps find the vertex and coordinates of the parabola. The information is somewhat brief, but factual, and worth checking out.

This reference material introduces the terms and equations related to parabolas in the context of conics. Also, relates concepts to previously-learned material and shows how to 'read' from the 'conics' form of the parabola equation.

In this lesson, students will learn how to find an equation of a quadratic function when given the vertex of the parabola, and how to find the equation that defines a quadratic function when given three points.

Identify the form of a quadratic function that immediately reveals a given feature of that function. Features in question are the y-intercept of the graph, the zeroes ('roots') of the function, and the vertex of the parabola.

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

TI Explorations books has a great activity for TI InterActive! in graphing parabolas in vertex form. What if you don't have TI InterActive! or a lab to take your students, but you do have a class set of TI-83 or TI-84. This activity...

Based off of the hit television show NUMB3RS, this lesson helps students understand how changing the values of y=a(x-b)^2+c changes the graph of the associated parabola. This is framed in the context of a bridge jumper, who enters the...

Students learn to graph the equation of a quadratic function using the coordinates of the vertex of a parabola and its x-intercepts.

Using TI-Interactive, students will discover how the variables of a, h, and k in the vertex form of a quadratic function affect the size, shape and location of the parabola. During the lesson students will write quadratic functions when...

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.

In this activity, students' will record the motion of a bouncing ball using a motion detector. They will then model a bounce using both the general and vertex forms of the parabola.

The definition for what a parabola is and an explanation of the difference between a parabola and u-shaped curve is given. Also provides illustrations of what a vertical and horizontal parabola look like.

In this experiment, students collect the height versus time data of a bouncing ball using the CBR 2. This activity investigates the values of height, time, and the coefficient A in the quadratic equation, which describes the behavior of...

The circle is one of four different shapes which can be created using "slices" through a cone, a 3-dimensional solid that has a circular base joined to a single point (called the vertex) by a curved side. If you tilt a cone, you get an...

Students will analyze a parabola graphed from word problems. Students can use the calculator to find the roots and vertex of the graph to answer questions based on the word problems.

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.

Hotmath provides 26 practice problems relating to conic sections. Each of the practice problems include a step-by-step guide for solving their conic.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This lesson covers how to find the x-intercepts, vertex, axis of symmetry, and y-intercept of a parabola.

Determine the height of a bouncing ball by creating a quadratic function for each.

Students practice with the parameters of the vertex form of the parabola and their effect on the shape of the curve. They use this concept to find a quadratic model. They also use translation and dilation to change the general parabola.

Examine how a giant sculpture at the National Museum of Mathematics represents the solutions to the equation y=x^2. This video focuses on the basics of graphing quadratic functions and the relationship between x and y values along the...