Parabola

Consider the following forms:

( xh )2=4 p( y k )

focus (f) {f : (h, k p)}

directrix (y) {y : k p}
Vertex (V) {V : ( h, k )}

( y k ) 2 4 p ( x h)
focus (f ) {f : ( h p, k )}
directrix (x) {x : h p}
Vertex (V ) {V : (h, k )}

4 p Latus Rectum
I.

Given the equation in standard form. Find the vertex, focus, and equation of the
directrix.
Sample:
y ( x 3) 2 4
y 4 ( x 3) 2 ( x 3) 2 y 4
( x 3) 2 y 4 : h 3; k 4

1
{p }
4
{V : (3, 4)}
9
{ f : (3, )}
4
15
15
{ y : y } { y : y 0}
4
4

II.

Given the focus and the vertex. Find the equation of the parabola.
Sample:
{ f : (6, 0)}
{V : (0, 0}

( y 0) 2 4 p( x 0)
y 2 4 px
p 6 { f : (h p, k )} { f : (0 (6), 0)}
4 p 24
y 2 24 x

Exercise 1:
Given Function

Function in Standard
Form

Vertex

Line of Symmetry

y = x2 - 2x - 3
y = 4x2 + 8x - 3
y = -2x2 + 2x + 1

Exercise 2:
Focus
(0, -1)
(5,1)
(-3, -2)

Vertex
origin
(5, 4)
(1, -2)

Equation

Exercise 3:
Given Equation
x +2x - 6y - 11 = 0
5y2 + 10y + 2x + 2 = 0
4y2 + 4y - 4x - 16 = 0
2

Vertex

Focus

Directrix