Answer:
Positive integer
Explanation:
A parabola is the locus of a point which is equidistant from a fixed point and a fixed line. The fixed line is known as the directrix, while the fixed point is known as the focus.
The axis of a parabola passes through the focus and is perpendicular to the directrix. The axis touches the parabola at a point known as the vertex.
The standard form of a parabola that opens up is:
4ay = x²;
where the focus is at (0, a), the equation of the axis is x = 0 and the equation of the directrix is y = -a (parallel to the y axis).
Hence, the leading coefficient of the equation of a parabola that opens up will be a positive integer.