Changing the shape of a parabola
- Author:
- Chris Woodward
- Topic:
- Parabola
Explore how the shape of the parabola is affected by the relationship between the focus and the directrix.
You can drag any of the A, B, C points. Use this to answer the questions below.
1. Make a conjecture regarding what relatiosnhip between the focus and the directrix of a parabolla makes the parabolla look a) narrow; b) wide open.
2. Use the applet to explore your conjecture.
3. What happens to the parabolla if the focus lies on the directrix?