The equation below describes a parabola. if a is positive, which way does the parabola open? x=ay^2

Positive parabolas are concave, and usually open upwards or downwards if they are functions ( functions have one output for every input). However, since your equation is x=ay^2, then your parabola is set to point rightwards (note, it is not a function since for every input of x, you can have multiple outputs of y). The above image was found by typing your equation into Google search, so as to give you an idea of what I am talking about and also to check my own answer.