Quadratic curves, also known as parabolas, are U-shaped graphs that represent quadratic functions, which are mathematical expressions of the form y = ax² + bx + c. In this equation, a, b, and c are constants, and a determines the direction of the curve—upward if positive and downward if negative. These curves have a vertex, which is the highest or lowest point, depending on the direction they open. The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that divides the parabola into two mirror-image halves. Quadratic curves are commonly found in various fields, including physics, engineering, and economics, where they model relationships involving squared terms.