Parabola Definition

Parabola is the chief and easiest chapter in the Conic Sections of Co-ordinate Geometry in Mathematics. Let us start analyzing the thought “A point always moves such that the ratio of its distances from a fixed point and a fixed line is constant. Can we get some meaningful result? Yes we get a parabola, which follow the above rule/thought. We can represent the curve mathematically using the co-ordinates and this curve is useful in finding out the many physical/practical phenomenons.

If we take a Right Circular Cone and cut it by a horizontal plane, we get a cross-section which is circular. If we cut this cone by planes of different orientations, different planes produce different type of curves. As all these curves are sections of a right circular cone, we call them conic sections. When we analyze these curves in detail we find that when the ratio of the distances of a point on the curve from a fixed point to its distance from a fixed line, is equal to 1 we have one type of curve, for ratio less than 1, we have second type of curve and for ratio more than 1, we have third type of curve. With this basis we can analyze these three curves.

In this sections we’ll discuss the curve of 1st type for which the ratio is equal to 1 i.e. the distance from the fixed point is always equal to the distance from the fixed line. We call this a Parabola.

“Parabola” is one of the easiest and important chapters of Conic Sections of Co-ordinate Geometry in the Mathematics syllabus of IIT JEE, AIEEE and other engineering examinations. The chapter is important because it fetches 1-2 questions in most of the engineering examination.

Parabola is important from the perspective of scoring high in IIT JEE as there are few fixed pattern on which a number Multiple Choice Questions are framed on this topic. You are expected to do all the questions based on this to remain competitive in IIT JEE examination. It is very important to master these concepts at early stage as this forms the basis of your preparation for IIT JEE, AIEEE, DCE, EAMCET and other engineering entrance examinations.

At askIITians we provide you free study material on Co-ordinate Geometry-Parabola and you get all the professional help needed to get through IIT JEE and AIEEE and other engineering exams easily. AskIITians also provides live online IIT JEE preparation and coaching where you can attend our live online classes from your home!

Parabola Definition

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