Question

The graph of a second degree polynomial is in the shape of a ___ .

Answer 1

Parabola.
The graph of a second degree polynomial $y=f\left(x\right)=a{x}^2+bx+c,a\ne 0$ is a continuous non-linear curve, known as a parabola. Try plotting the graphs of the equations $y=x^2,y=2x^2$ etc.