This document defines quadratic equations as polynomial functions of degree 2, where the highest exponent is 2. It explains that a quadratic equation can be written in standard form as f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c, where a, b, and c are real numbers and a is not equal to 0. The graph of a quadratic equation is a parabola. Key features of a parabola include its axis of symmetry, which is the line that bisects the parabola, and its vertex, which is the highest or lowest point of the parabola. The document provides examples of finding the vertex and axis of symmetry of parabolas given their equations and of writing the equation of a parabola