Graph parabolas

Using the math grapher tools, you can plot both vertical and horizontal parabolas.

Plot a parabola

To plot a parabola:

  1. Click either the vertical or horizontal parabola tool.
  2. In the graph, click where you want to locate the vertex of your parabola.
  3. Move your cursor to a point on your parabola.

    As you move the cursor, a temporary line appears so you see what your final parabola will look like.

  4. When your cursor is on the correct point, click to graph the point.

    Your completed parabola appears and is selected.

You can add more than one parabola to your graph.

Select a parabola

To select a parabola:

  1. Click the selection tool .
  2. Click the line or point.

    If your line is selected, the points you plotted are blue and the parabola line is orange. When a point is selected, the point is orange.

    A selected parabolaAn unselected parabola
    Example of a selected parabolaExample of an unselected parabola

Change a parabola

To change or delete a parabola, first select it.

Move a selected parabola in one of these ways:

  • Drag the parabola to the new position.
  • Press Shift plus an arrow key to move the parabola up, down, left, or right.

Change a selected point in one of these ways:

  • Drag the point to the new position.
  • Press Shift plus an arrow key to move a selected point.

Delete a selected parabola in one of these ways:

  • On the large grapher, press Delete on your keyboard.
  • On the small grapher, click Delete.

 

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