Objectives
The geometry of the parabola provides important details around why parabolas are so important. Students use substitution, distance between two points and reflect on some geometry to make multiple connections around this amazing curve.
Vocabulary
- Parabola
- Model
- Pythagoras
- Focus
- Directrix
- Triangle Congruence (Extension)
About the Lesson
The world’s biggest parabola is 500 metres in diameter. It looks out at the universe in search of ET and may also help save the world. Understanding how parabolas are useful helps answer the eternal question: “Where are we ever going to use this in the real world?”
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