Quadratic functions are all around us in everyday life! Here are a few ways we see them:

1. Projectile Motion:
   Think about throwing a basketball or launching a rocket.
   The path that these objects take is often shaped like a U, which we call a parabola.
   For example, the height $h$ of a ball when it’s thrown can be shown by the formula $h(t) = -16t^2 + vt + h_0$.
   In this formula, $v$ stands for how fast the ball is thrown.

2. Architecture:
   Parabolic shapes are used in buildings and bridges.
   These curves help support weight and also make things look nice.
   They help spread the weight evenly, which makes the structures safer.

3. Economics:
   In business, we can use quadratic functions to understand profits and losses.
   For example, a profit equation might look like $P(x) = -ax^2 + bx + c$.
   This helps companies figure out how to make the most money.

These functions really show us how math is connected to the world around us!