parabolaA parabola consists of points equally far from a fixed line and a fixed point off that line.
You’ll leave with these skills
01Interpret a quadratic model’s vertex as its highest or lowest pointLook at the sign of the number in front of the squared term to tell whether the vertex is the model’s highest point or its lowest point.
02Tell whether a question wants the vertex’s time or its heightGive the vertex’s time value when the question asks when, and its height value when the question asks how high.
03Find the greatest height of a thrown object from its equationFind the time at the top of the parabola with the vertex formula, then plug that time into the equation to get the greatest height.
04Confirm the greatest height and its time in DesmosGraph the height equation in Desmos and click the top of the curve to read the time and the greatest height.
This lesson is part of the full library
207 lessons that teach every skill the SAT tests
71Math
40Reading
24Grammar
10 full-length practice tests to build test-day stamina and confidence
A Desmos simulator to solve math questions faster
A step-by-step guide to every practice test question
The Bluebook Simulator, so test day feels familiar
A drawing for every key term, so new ideas make sense at a glance
