DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

CO-OPERATIVE ARTS & SCIENCE COLLEGE, MADAYI

3B03MAT ANALYTICAL GEOMETRY & APPLICATIONS OF DERIVATIVES
Module 1 – Part 2

Parabola Equating these expressions, we get

Parabola: A set that consists of all the points in PF = PQ

p p
a plane equidistant from a given fixed point and a =⇒ x2 + (y − p)2 = (y + p)2
given fixed line in the plane is a parabola. The fixed =⇒ x2 + (y − p)2 = (y + p)2 (Squaring)
point is the focus of the parabola. The fixed line is
=⇒ x2 + y 2 − 2py + p2 = y 2 + 2py + p2
the directrix.
=⇒ x2 = 4py
The midpoint between the focus and the directrix
is called the vertex, and the line passing through
The y-axis is called the axis of the parabola x2 =
the focus and the vertex is called the axis of the
4py.
parabola.
The point where a parabola crosses its axis is the
Remark: If the focus lies on the directrix, vertex. The vertex of the parabola x2 = 4py lies at
the parabola is the line through the focus and the origin. The positive number p is the parabola’s
perpendicular to the directrix. It is called focal length.
degenerate parabola. Thus, for a non-degenerate Other Forms:
parabola, the vertex does not lie on the directrix. (2) Parabola x2 = −4py
Standard Form: Suppose that the focus lies at the point F (0, −p)
(1) Parabola x2 = 4py on the negative y-axis and that the directrix is the
Suppose that the focus lies at the point F (0, p) on line y = p. Then, the equation of the parabola is
the positive y-axis and that the directrix is the line obtained as x2 = −4py.
y = −p.

A point P (x, y) lies on the parabola if and only if

P F = P Q. From distance formula,
p p
PF = (x − 0)2 + (y − p)2 = x2 + (y − p)2
p p
P Q = (x − x)2 + (y − (−p))2 = (y + p)2
(3) Parabola y 2 = 4px
Suppose that the focus lies at the point F (p, 0) on
the positive x-axis and that the directrix is the line
x = −p. Then, the equation of the parabola is
obtained as y 2 = 4px.

1
 line x = p. Then, the equation of the parabola is
obtained as y 2 = −4px.

(4) Parabola y 2 = −4px

Suppose that the focus lies at the point F (−p, 0)
on the negative x-axis and that the directrix is the