parabolic coordinate system

parabolic coordinate system

[¦par·ə¦bäl·ik kō′ȯrd·ən·ət ‚sis·təm] (mathematics) A two-dimensional coordinate system determined by a system of confocal parabolas. A three-dimensional coordinate system whose coordinate surfaces are the surfaces generated by rotating a plane containing a system of confocal parabolas about the axis of symmetry of the parabolas, together with the planes passing through the axis of rotation.