parabola

[ puh-rab-uh-luh ]

noun

, Geometry.

1. a plane curve formed by the intersection of a right circular cone with a plane parallel to a generator of the cone; the set of points in a plane that are equidistant from a fixed line and a fixed point in the same plane or in a parallel plane. Equation: y 2 = 2 px or x 2 = 2 py.

parabola

/ pəˈræbələ /

noun

1. a conic section formed by the intersection of a cone by a plane parallel to its side. Standard equation: y ² = 4 ax , where 2 a is the distance between focus and directrix

parabola

/ pə-răb′ə-lə /

1. The curve formed by the set of points in a plane that are all equally distant from both a given line (called the directrix) and a given point (called the focus) that is not on the line.

parabola

1. A geometrical shape ( see geometry ) consisting of a single bend and two lines going off to an infinite distance.

Notes

An object that is propelled away from the Earth and then drawn back by gravity , such as a fly ball in baseball, follows a path shaped like a parabola.

Word History and Origins

Origin of parabola¹

1570–80; < New Latin < Greek parabolḗ an application. See parable

Word History and Origins

Origin of parabola¹

C16: via New Latin from Greek parabolē a setting alongside; see parable

Example Sentences

If you’ve ever taken an algebra or physics class, then you’ve met a parabola, the simple curve that can model how a ball flies through the air.

From Quanta Magazine

The most important part of a parabola is the vertex — its highest or lowest point — and there are many mathematical techniques for finding it.

From Quanta Magazine

New Shepard takes off like a traditional rocket, with a crew capsule separating near the peak of the flight parabola, arcing into space for three minutes of weightless sightseeing, and descending by parachute, while the rocket itself lands upright.

From Time

In math, parabolas are special U-shaped curves that form by slicing through a cone-shape.

From Science News For Students

If it wasn’t for the air, Ramirez says, the football would still trace a parabola because of gravity.

From Science News For Students

If the load travels the reverse way, the shearing force at the head of the train is given by the ordinates of the dotted parabola.

From Project Gutenberg

This parabola is the curve of maximum moments for a travelling load uniform per ft. run.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, except for very short bridges and very unequal loads, a parabola can be found which includes the curve of maximum moments.

From Project Gutenberg

Let we be the load per ft. run which would produce the maximum moments represented by this parabola.

From Project Gutenberg

The planet would then have moved in a parabola, or an hyperbola, curves not returning into themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arc
• arch
• contour
• loop
• trajectory