Contents

Title Page

Contents Acknowledgements Introduction to Parabola History of Parabola Uses of Parabola Part 1 Part2 Part3 Further Exploration on Parabola Conclusion

Acknowledgements
First of all I would like to thank my parents for all their support on making this project a success. Thank you for all your support even with the ups and downs. I would also like to thank my Additional Mathematics teacher, Puan Norhaniza Binti Abdul Hamid for all the help making this project a success. Lastly, I would like to thank to my friends thats always there to help me with this project. All your hard work is very much appreciated.

Introduction to Parabola
A parabola is a two-dimensional, mirror curve, which is approximately U-shaped when oriented as shown in the diagram, but which can be in any orientation in its plane. It fits any of several superficially different mathematical descriptions which can all be proved to define curves of exactly the same shape. The parabola has many important applications, from a parabolic antenna or parabolic microphone to automobile headlight reflectors to the design of ballistic missiles. They are frequently used in physics, engineering, and many other areas.

History of Parabola
Greek history records that Menaechmus (c.375-325 B.C.), was the pupil of Eudoxus and a tutor for Alexander the Great. He is credited with the discovery of the conics and conic sections. Conics refer to the intersections of circular cones by planes. When planes pass through the cone's vertex, the conics are said to degenerate. Conics that do not degenerate are called non-degenerate conics; they include the parabola, hyperbola and ellipse. A hyperbola is the result of a plane running parallel to the cone's generating line forming an unbounded curve.

- Menaechmus found the Parabola

Menaechmus discovered conic sections and was the first person to demonstrate that parabolas can be obtained by cutting a cone in a plane that was not parallel to the base. It is believed that Menaechmus did not actually invent the term "hyperbola." Menaechmus while attempting to solve a mathematical problem involving duplication of the cube, discovered conic sections. In solving the problem of the cube, Menaechmus discovered it was possible by using conic sections.

- Term Origin
The term parabola is derived from the Greek words para meaning "alongside, right up to and nearby", and bola meaning "to cast, to throw." Since parallel and several derivates of the word begin with the same Greek root para, it is possible to assume that parabola may mean "thrown parallel." Real world applications of parabolas include the shape of a car's headlights, and radio and television antennae, which make use of parabolic properties. -

Naming

Apollonius of Perga (c. 240 190 B.C.), was a Greek mathetician noted for his geometric skills. Apollonius is credited with actually naming the parabola. His research in the field of conics was published in a treatise considered one of the greatest scientific works to emerge from the ancient world. Some of the original books on the treatise were lost, but some were translated into Arabic. Books one to four provide systematic details of the essential principles of conics. In these books is the first mention of the terms parabola, hyperbola and ellipse as we know them today.

- Construction

Pierre de Fermat (1601 -- 1665) was a French mathematician who, along with Rene Descartes, was considered a leader in the mathematical field during the first half of the seventeenth century. Fermat studied curves and equations in relation to hyperbolas. He was able to generalize the equation for what is termed the ordinary hyperbola where "ay is equal to x squared." The equation determines curves known as parabolas and is based on Fermat's assumption that 'n' is positive or negative.

Parabolic compass designed by Leonardo da Vinci

Uses of Parabola
These are some uses of Parabola in our daily lives:Heater - Heaters are sold which make use of the reflection property of the parabola. The heat source is at the focus and heat is concentrated in parallel rays. Satellite Dishes - Satellite Dishes work on this same principle. Incoming waves are concentrated to the focus. Automobile Headlights - An automobile headlight is another example of a Parabolic of Revolution -taking a parabola and rotating it about its axis of symmetry. The smooth inner surface of the headlight is a glass reflector upon which bright aluminium has been deposited. This part is a powerful reflector. A parabolic reflector has the property that if a light source is placed at them focus of the reflector, the light rays will reflect from the mirror as rays parallel to the axis. This is used in auto headlights to give an intense concentrated beam of light.
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Uses of Parabola in our daily life

Bridges - The cables that act as suspension are parabolas.

Part 1
1.1 Examples of Parabola

PARABOLA IN AUTOMOBILE HEADLIGHTS

PARABOLA IN LIGHTINGS

PARABOLA IN SATELITE DISHES

PARABOLA IN THEME PARKS RIDES

PARABOLA IN BRIDGES

PARABOLA IN BUILDINGS

PARABOLA IN RESTAURANT SIGNS

1.2 Parabolas related to mathematical equations and functions.

The equation of a parabola can be expressed in either standard or vertex form as shown in the picture below.

(h,k) Standard Form Vertex Form

1.3 Equation of Parabolas

y (0,20)

(-25,0)

(0,25)

Equation of dome

c = 20

From graf : 0 = 625a + 25b + 20 ... Eqn 1 0 = 625a 25b + 20 ... Eqn 2 From Eqn 1: - 25b = 625a + 20 b = - 25a - ... Eqn 3 Sub Eqn 3 to Eqn 1: 0 = 625a 25(- 25a - )+ 20 0 = 625a + 625a + 20 +20 a=If a = b = - 25(b=0 Equation of dome : y = + 20 -

Equation of dome (Inverted) The equation will be the same but the symbol of a is changed (example : -ve to +ve) and the y-intercept (c) is changed based on Cartesan Plane. So a = and c = -20 So equation of the dome if it is inverted is: y= 20

1.4 Coordinates of the points

Gradient = =2 So, y = y = 2x + c with c = 20 y = 2x + 20 Coordinate on y-axis (x-intercept) If x = 0. Then y, y = 2(0) +20 y = 20 Coordinate at y-axis is (0,20)

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Coordinate on x-axis (y-intercept) If y = 0. Then x, 0 = 2x +20 2x = -20 x = -10 Coordinate at y-axis is (-10,0)

1.5 Area under a curve

y= + 20

Formula for area under a curve: Ax = + (15 x 12.8) + (192) + 192 + 192 = = Budget required : RM100 x = RM26,133.30 needed to construct the shaded part.
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+ 192

1.6 Volumes of revolutions

y= + 20

Formula for volumes of revolution: Vy = = [6250 - 0] = 19,637.5 Air conditioner in Btu/hr (assume 100 people inside): x Volume N x 500 x 19,637.5 = 65,458 Btu/hr 1000 Btu/hr = 0.393 hoursepower So, 65,458 Btu/hr = 25.725 hoursepower. 100 x 500 + 625

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Part 2
2.1 Explanation
As the water in the beaker is stirred with a glass rod, a circular motion in a form of parabola is formed. The level of water near the wall of the beaker is higher to be compared to the centre of the beaker. This is due to the occurrence of the parabola.

2.2 Rate of change

V = (3 + 10h)

= 6h + 10 h = 8. So, = 58 =2 x = 58 x 2 = 116 m

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Part 3
y

y=

+6

Parabola Pillar Cable x

3.1 Gradient

when x = 0.5 y= = = +6

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when x = 1 y= = = +6

when x = 1.5 y= = = +6

when x = 2 y= = = +6

Gradients of points are as in Diagram above. = Gradients of points

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3.2 Cost of cable

To find out if the progression is arithmetic or geometric. If geometric progression:(r must be the same)

= 2 = 1.5 r is not the same. The progression is not geometric progression.

To find out if the progression is arithmetic or geometric. If arithmetic progression:(d must be the same) = =

d is the same. The progression is arithmetic progression.

19th cable = 19 0.5 = 9.5m x = 9.5

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Sub x, y= y= y = 17.28m 1m = RM100 Cost of cable = RM1728 +6 +6

3.3 Position of cable

= 42 n? Equation of arithmetic progression;= a + (n-1)d a= 42 42 = 42 = n = 337th position. and d =

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Further Exploration
Parabola in Sports Parabolic Trajectory
When the rugby ball is kicked it follows a parabolic trajectory. During the moment when the ball is kicked, it has a vertical and horizontal component to its motion. Once the ball is in the air, the only force being applied to the ball is gravity, and it is now in what is known as free-fall. Since there is an acceleration negative to the balls motion, the ball's upwards velocity eventually slows to a stop and begins to fall back down to the ground (still accelerating due to gravity). The force of gravity, however, has no effect on the horizontal component of the balls motion. This means the ball keeps going at a constant horizontal velocity (however this is not possible in the real world, as the ball is subject to air resistance and friction). All this comes together to make the ball travel in a parabolic arc as seen in the picture. The equation of the parabola will always be

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Conclusion
In conclusion, the uses of parabola are important to us in our daily lives. These parabolas should not be taken lightly as it may cause unnecessary problems. In general terms, we all know that a parabola is a two-dimensional, mirror curve, which is approximately U-shaped when oriented as shown in the diagram, but which can be in any orientation in its plane. In mathematical terms, parabolas can be determined by its equation which is . So we should always remember the importance of parabolas to us and always have fun with parabolas.

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