Parabolas
Parabolas
Symmetry
Parabolas have reflectional symmetry, no rotational symmetry. The reflectional symmetry depends on the orientation of the parabola. If the parabola is vertical, then the line of symmetry is vertical through the vertex. If the parabola is horizontal, then the line of symmetry is horizontal through the vertex.
Example State the symmetry for the parabola modeled by the equation:
Step 1. State the vertex.
The vertex of the parabola is: (5, 2)
Step 2. State the reflectional symmetry.
This parabola has a horizontal line of symmetry at y = 2.
Step 3. State the rotational symmetry.
Parabolas do not have rotational symmetry.