If the equation has the term with y 2, then the axis of symmetry is along the x-axis and if the equation has the term with x 2, then the axis of symmetry is along the y-axis.
The focal chord cuts the parabola at two distinct points. Focal Chord: The focal chord of a parabola is the chord passing through the focus of the parabola.The directrix is perpendicular to the axis of the parabola. Directrix: The line drawn parallel to the y-axis and passing through the point (-a, 0) is the directrix of the parabola.Focus: The point (a, 0) is the focus of the parabola.Some of the important terms below are helpful to understand the features and parts of a parabola y 2 = 4ax. The standard equation of a regular parabola is y 2 = 4ax. The general equation of a parabola is: y = a(x-h) 2 + k or x = a(y-k) 2 +h, where (h,k) denotes the vertex. Parabola is an important curve of the conic sections of the coordinate geometry. "A locus of any point which is equidistant from a given point ( focus) and a given line ( directrix) is called a parabola." Thus, a parabola is mathematically defined as follows: Also, an important point to note is that the fixed point does not lie on the fixed line. The fixed point is called the "focus" of the parabola, and the fixed line is called the "directrix" of the parabola. Visit for Coordinate Graph Printables.A parabola refers to an equation of a curve, such that each point on the curve is equidistant from a fixed point, and a fixed line. Then, ask them to check their work by toggling the coordinates back on. Challenge students to graph a set of coordinates with the coordinates display toggled off. Then, walk them through how to use the x and y axes to show coordinates or make line segments. Teach coordinate graphing easily by displaying this tool for your class. Clear the graph using the trash can symbol.
Toggle coordinates on or off with the button above the trashcan. Choose the units of your graph on the x and y axes by clicking the numbers on the right side of the graph. Use different colors for your segments by selecting the colors to the top right of the graph. Or, click and drag to make line segments. To use the online coordinate graph tool, simply click on the intersection of lines to make a point. This interactive online coordinate graph tool allows students to practice graphing coordinates. Educational Games » Teacher Tools » Virtual Manipulatives » Graph Manipulatives » Coordinate Graph Coordinate Graph