Parabolas

Parabolas are one section of Conic Sections. It is comprised of two equations:
1. Standard Form:
a. (x-h)^2=4c(y-k) and
b. (y-k)^2=4c(y-h)
2. General Form: y=ax^2+bx+c
The standard form "a" creates a parabola that opens up or down whereas the standard form "b" creates a parabola that opens left or right. The side in which the parabola opens is determined by whether or not the initial equation has a positive or negative sign. If it is positive, the graph will open to up or to the right whereas if it is negative, the graph will open down or to the left. The general form can always be converted back to the standard form through simple algebraic steps.