Parabolas are frequently used in physics and engineering for things such as the design of automobile headlight reflectors and the paths of ballistic missiles. Parabolas are frequently encountered as graphs of quadratic functions, including the very common equation y=x2 y = x 2 .

What is special about parabola?

The Parabola

A parabola is a continuous curve that looks like an open bowl where the sides keep going up infinitely. One mathematical definition of a parabola is the set of points that are all the same distance from a fixed point called the focus and a line called the directrix.

Why are parabolas used in buildings?

Parabolas are often spun around a central axis in order to create a concave shape used in building designs. ... Parabolic lenses are often used in lighting equipment, like searchlights, since the shape allows for high efficiency in reflecting light.