Parabola

A parabola is a symmetrical, curved shape that looks like a U or an inverted U. It appears when a point moves in such a way that the distance to a fixed point (called the focus) is always the same as its distance to a fixed line (called the directrix). Parabolas are common in physics and engineering—for example, they describe the path of a projectile under gravity or the shape of satellite dishes designed to focus signals. Their consistent, predictable curve makes them useful in various applications where directing or focusing energy is important.