1. Parabolas Today you will investigate and identify the important characteristics of a parabola.

6. Patty Paper Parabolas 1. With a straight edge, draw a line through the center of your patty paper. 2. Draw a point about 2-5 cm away from the center of the line (but not on the line). 3. Fold the patty paper so that the point touches the far left side of the line. Crease the fold. 4. Unfold the patty paper. 5. Fold the patty paper again so that the point touches the line a few mm from where it touched the first time. Crease the fold. Unfold. 6. Repeat Step 5 until you have touched the point to the line (and creased) all across the length of the line.

7. Analysis Identify the Conic Section you have formed. What do you think a good definition for this conic section would be? Tell why the folds you made ended up forming the conic section. What would happen to the shape of the conic section if your point were closer to the line? Farther away from the line?

8. Parabola

9. Analyzing the Definition

11. Graphing Form of the Equation of a Parabola with Vertex (h,k)

12. Example #1

13. Answer to Example #1

14. Example #2

15. Answer to Example #2

16. Example #3

17. Exit Slip Please clear your desk and take out a pencil. Complete the Exit Slip before you leave class.

18. Assignment A 3.2 Sect I See you tomorrow!