Page 7a

PARABOLA Menu

MAIN MENU

Before sketching the graph a parabola, it is useful to pick out the following characteristics given an equation in standard form: the vertex of the parabola the axis of symmetry vertical if y = x2 horizontal if x = y2 the direction in which the parabola opens using the sign of a Up or right if a is positive Down or left if a is negative

After determining these characterisitics, it is useful to plot some points to determing how wide or narrow the parabola is.

Answer the following questions with a pencil and paper. Then check your graph by entering the h, k and a values into the action figure below.