parabola
Cone-sliced curve shape
A parabola is a U-shaped curve formed when a cone is cut by a plane parallel to its side.
In mathematics, it's the set of points equidistant from a fixed point (focus) and a fixed line (directrix).
Parabolas appear throughout physics and engineering—the path of a thrown ball, the shape of satellite dishes and car headlight reflectors.
The adjective is parabolic: a parabolic arc, parabolic mirrors.
Storyline or land parcel
- coordinatesLocation-specifying number pairs
- functionPurpose or duty
- vertexPoint where edges converge
- axisRotation reference line
intercept · x-axis · y-axis · origin · slope · quadratic · equation · curve
Light-redirecting surface
- focusConcentrated attention point
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- dishFood container or recipe
antenna · headlight · flashlight · satellite dish · searchlight · convergence · focal point · receiver
Conic section curve
- circleCurved closed shape
- eccentricityUnconventional behavior or nature
- directrixLine defining conic sections
- focusConcentrated attention point
vertex · axis · locus · tangent · asymptote · chord · section · Apollonius
Launched airborne object
- ballisticsProjectile motion science
- orbitCurved celestial path
- pathRoute for traveling
- arcCurved line segment
flight · launch · angle · velocity · acceleration · motion · range · throw
Rotation reference line
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- vertexPoint where edges converge
- bilateralInvolving two parties
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
balance · apex · perpendicular · midpoint · congruence
Curved spanning structure
- bridgeStructure spanning an obstacle
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
- catenaryGravity-formed suspension curve
span · dome · vault · Gateway Arch · structural · tensile
plot
Storyline or land parcel
- coordinatesLocation-specifying number pairs
- functionPurpose or duty
- vertexPoint where edges converge
axis · intercept · x-axis · y-axis · origin · slope · quadratic · equation · curve · graphing
reflector
Light-redirecting surface
- focusConcentrated attention point
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
dish · antenna · headlight · flashlight · satellite dish · searchlight · convergence · focal point · receiver · caustic
ellipse
Conic section curve
- circleCurved closed shape
- eccentricityUnconventional behavior or nature
- directrixLine defining conic sections
focus · vertex · axis · locus · tangent · asymptote · chord · section · Apollonius · conic sections
projectile
Launched airborne object
- ballisticsProjectile motion science
- orbitCurved celestial path
- pathRoute for traveling
arc · flight · launch · angle · velocity · acceleration · motion · range · throw · gravity
axis
Rotation reference line
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- vertexPoint where edges converge
- bilateralInvolving two parties
mirror · balance · apex · perpendicular · midpoint · congruence
arch
Curved spanning structure
- bridgeStructure spanning an obstacle
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
catenary · span · dome · vault · Gateway Arch · structural · tensile
- parabolic mirrorCurved reflector concentrating light
- parabolic reflectorCurved surface focusing signals