Question

What does parabola mean in Maths?

Answer 1

Meaning of Parabola:

Parabola: The Parabola is a curve formed by joining the points which are equidistance from a fixed point (Focus) is the same as its distance from a fixed line (Directrix).

Let $P$ be any point of a given parabola such that $P$ is equidistance from focus and directrix

The general equation of the parabola is $y=p{\left(x-h\right)}^2+k$or $x=p{\left(x-k\right)}^2+h$where $\left(h,k\right)$ is the vertex of the parabola.

The standard four types of parabolas are :

Thus, the parabola is a curve formed by joining the points which are equidistance from a fixed point (Focus) is the same as its distance from a fixed line (Directrix)