[Math] In the equation $y = ax^2 + bx + c$ of a parabola, what do “$a$”, “$b$”, “$c$” represent

conic sectionsgeometry

I have trouble grasping some basic things about parabolas. (This should be easily found on Google, but for some reason I couldn't find an answer that helped me).

I know one simple standard equation for a parabola:

$$y = ax^2 + bx + c$$

My problem is: I'm not sure what the following letters represent: $a$, $b$, and $c$.

Please try to explain to me what each of these letters represent in the equation, in a simple manner so I will understand, since I have very basic knowledge in math.

Thank you

Best Answer

It would be worth your while to learn another standard form of the equation of a parabola, and you can complete the square, given $y = ax^2 + bx + c$, to obtain this form:

$$4p(y - k) = (x-h)^2$$

The vertex of the parabola is given by $(h, k)$. $$h = \frac{-b}{2a};\quad k = \frac{4ac - b^2}{4a}$$

$$4p = \frac 1a$$

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