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Parabola Orientation

For a vertical parabola described by the quadratic equation y=ax2+bx+cy = ax^2 + bx + c or the standard form y=a(xh)2+ky = a(x - h)^2 + k, the direction the parabola opens depends on the sign of the leading coefficient aa:

  • If a>0a > 0, the parabola opens upward.
  • If a<0a < 0, the parabola opens downward.
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Updated 2026-05-19

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