Final answer:
To make a parabola wider, reduce the absolute value of the quadratic coefficient 'a' in the equation y = ax^2 + bx + c. The closer 'a' is to zero, the wider the parabola will be, irrespective of whether it opens upwards or downwards.
Step-by-step explanation:
To make a parabola wider, you can manipulate the scaling factor in the parabola's equation. A parabola is typically represented by the equation y = ax^2 + bx + c. The key to widening the parabola is to modify the value of 'a' which is known as the quadratic coefficient. The smaller the absolute value of 'a', the wider the parabola becomes.
For example, if you have the equation y = x^2, which is a standard parabola, and you want to make it wider, you would use a value of 'a' that is less than 1, such as y = 0.5x^2 or y = 0.1x^2. As 'a' becomes closer to zero, the arms of the parabola open out more, thus creating a wider shape.
Remember, if 'a' is positive, the parabola opens upwards, and if 'a' is negative, it opens downwards. Regardless of the direction, adjusting the value of 'a' will control the width of the parabola.