PARABOLA Meaning and
Definition
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A parabola is a curved, symmetrical shape defined by a quadratic equation in mathematics. It is a U-shaped curve that is formed by the graph of a quadratic function. The term "parabola" is derived from the Greek word "parabole," which means "comparison" or "similarity."
In geometric terms, a parabola is defined as the locus of points that are equidistant from a fixed point (known as the focus) and a fixed line (known as the directrix). The focus lies on the axis of symmetry, which is a vertical line passing through the vertex of the parabola. The directrix is a horizontal line that is always perpendicular to the axis of symmetry.
The shape of a parabola is determined by its equation, often represented as y = ax^2 + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants. The coefficient "a" determines the direction and openness of the parabola. If a > 0, the parabola opens upwards, while if a < 0, it opens downwards. The vertex is the lowest or highest point on the parabola, depending on the direction it opens.
Parabolas have various applications in different fields, such as physics, engineering, and astronomy. They are commonly used to model the trajectory of a projectile, the shape of satellite dishes, and the behavior of light rays reflecting off a uniformly curved mirror, among other things.
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One of the conic sections or curves formed from cutting a cone by a plane parallel to one of its sides.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of PARABOLA
The word "parabola" has its roots in the ancient Greek language. It ultimately derives from the Greek word "parabole", which means "comparison" or "analogy". This term, in turn, is composed of the prefix "para", meaning "beside" or "alongside", and the verb "ballein", meaning "to throw" or "to cast". The Greek mathematician Apollonius of Perga, who lived in the third century BC, is often credited with introducing the term "parabola" to describe a specific type of conic section. The word was later adopted into Latin as "parabola", and then transmitted into various modern languages, retaining its original meaning related to the shape of the conic section.
Similar spelling words for PARABOLA
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