Trajectory - GCSE Maths Definition

In GCSE Mathematics, a trajectory is the path that an object follows as it is in motion. For example, after striking a golf ball, it will generally rise into the air, reach a maximum height, and begin to fall back towards the ground - all whilst moving in the direction it was hit.

We make many assumptions to mathematically represent trajectories - for the golf ball example, this would be that the ball does not move from side-to-side, only forwards. In these cases, the trajectory will be in the shape of a parabola - the curve represented by the graph of a quadratic function. Even with these assumptions, we can apply many mathematical techniques to analysing parabolas and so make predictions about the motion of the golf ball. Another example would be in launching missiles at an enemy target (think of the computer game Worms!).