The shape of a parabola is shown in this picture:

Notice that the parabola a line of symmetry, meaning the two sides mirror each other.

There are two patterns for a parabola, as it can be either vertical (opens up or down) or
horizontal (opens left or right.)

Patterns:

Let's look at a few key points about these patterns:

If the x is squared, the parabola is vertical (opens up or down). If the y is

squared, it is horizontal (opens left or right).

If a is positive, the parabola opens up or to the right. If it is negative, it opens

down or to the left.

The vertex is at (h, k). You have to be very careful. Notice how the location of
h and k switches based on if the parabola is vertical or horizontal. Also, the
coordinate inside the parenthesis is negative, but the one outside is not.

Let's look at a couple parabolas and see what we can determine about them.

1.

First, we know that this parabola is vertical (opens either up or down) because the x is
squared. We can determine it opens down because the a (-2) is negative.

Next we can find the vertex (h, k). For a vertical parabola, h is inside parenthesis, and
since there is a negative in the pattern, we must take the opposite. So h = -3. k is
outside, and the sign in the pattern is positive, so we will keep this number as is. k = 4.
Thus, our vertex is (-3, 4).

Summary: This is a vertical parabola that opens down. Its vertex is (-3, 4).

2.

First, we know that this parabola is horizontal (opens either left or right) because the y
is squared. We can determine it opens to the right because the a (1/2) is positive.

Next we can find the vertex (h, k). For a horizontal parabola, h is outside parenthesis,
and since there is a positive in the pattern, we will leave it as is. So h = -1. k is inside,
and the sign in the pattern is negative, so we will take the opposite. k = 4. Thus, our
vertex is (-1, 4).

Summary: This is a horizontal parabola that opens to the right. Its vertex is (-1, 4).

Practice: Determine whether the parabola opens up, down, left, or right. Then find
its vertex.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Answers: 1) Opens up, vertex: (-5, -2) 2) Opens to the left, vertex: (-5, 4) 3)
Opens to the right, vertex: (6, -3) 4) Opens up, vertex: (0, -3) 5) Opens down,
vertex: (4, 1)

http://www.softschools.com/math/calculus/understanding_parabolas/