Conic Sections: Parabola

Learning Activity Sheet

in Pre-Calculus
Quarter 1 ● Activity Sheet 2 ● Week 2

BRYAN A. HIDALGO
Developer

Department of Education • Cordillera Administrative Region

 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Cordillera Administrative Region
Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet

Published by:
DepEd CAR REGIONAL OFFICE
Curriculum and Learning Management Division

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
2021

Section 9 of Presidential Decree No. 49 provides:

“No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the

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wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work
for profit.”

This material has been developed for the implementation of K-12 Curriculum
through the DepEd Cordillera Administrative Region – Curriculum and Learning
management Division (CLMD). It can be reproduced for educational purposes and
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 PREFACE

This Learning Activity Sheet is a project of the DepEd CAR Regional Office
through the Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD) which is in
response to the implementation of the K to 12 Curriculum.

This Learning Material is a property of the Department of Education,

Cordillera Administrative Region. It aims to improve students’ performance
specifically in Pre-Calculus.

Date of Development July 2021

Resource Location LRMDS

Learning Area Pre-Calculus

Grade Level 11

Learning Resource Type Learning Activity Sheet

Language English

Quarter/Week Q1/Week2

Learning Competency/Code Define a parabola (STEM_PC11AG-Ia-5).

Determine the standard form of equation of a

Parabola (STEM_PC11AG-Ib-1).

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The developer wishes to express his gratitude to the Curriculum and Learning
Management Division (CLMD) of DepEd Cordillera Administrative Region for the
guidance from the start until the completion of this Learning Activity Sheet.

Development Team
Developer: Bryan A. Hidalgo
Layout Artists: Jeremy Kermit B. Padilla/ Jopie B. Ferrer
Illustrator: Warly E. Kindiawan

RO Quality Assurance Team - Mathematics

Niño E. Martinez HT-VI, BCNHS, SDO Baguio City
Jopie B. Ferrer T-III, BCNHS- LR Coordinator, SDO Baguio City
Florence D. Palasi T-III, BCNSHS, SDO Baguio City

Learning Resource Management Section Staff

Rosita C. Agnasi EPS/LRMS Manager
Fely B. Badival Librarian II
Elizabeth T. Calbayan Teaching Aids Specialist
Jeremy Kermit B. Padilla Administrative Assistant II

Consultants
Carmel F. Meris Chief Education Supervisor – CLMD
Florante E. Vergara SDS/ OIC– Office of the ARD
Estela L. Cariño EdD, CESO III Director IV/ Regional Director

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Copyright Notice …………………………………………………………………………… ii

Preface …………………………………………………………………………………....... iii

Acknowledgement …………………………………………………………………………. iv

Table of Contents ………………………………………………………………………….. v

Title Page……………………………………………………………………………………. 1

Introductory Message………………………………………………………………………. 2

Conic Sections: Circle……………………………………………………………………… 3

Learning Objectives…………………………………………………………………….. 3

Parabola……...…………………………………………………………………………… 3

Parabola with Vertex (ℎ, 𝑘) and Vertical Axis of Symmetry…………………………. 3

Parabola with Vertex (ℎ, 𝑘) and Horizontal Axis of Symmetry……………………… 4

Graphing a Parabola…….………………………………………………………………. 5

Writing an Equation of a Parabola……………………..………………………………. 8

Activity 1………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

Activity 2………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

Activity 3………………………………………………………………………………….. 10

Reflection…………………………………………………………………………………. 11

Answer Key ………………………………………………………………………………..... 12

References ………………………………………………………………………………….. 14

Learning Plan………………………………………………………………………………… 15

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Conic Sections: Parabola
Learning Activity Sheet
in Pre-Calculus
Quarter 1 ● Activity Sheet 2 ● Week 2

BRYAN A. HIDALGO
Developer

Department of Education • Cordillera Administrative Region

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Introductory Message
This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can continue
your studies and learn while at home. The discussions and activities are carefully stated for
you to understand the lesson.

Please use this LAS with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of this LAS. Use a
separate sheet of paper in answering the activities. Read the instructions carefully before
performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this LAS or any difficulty in answering the tasks in this
module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you!

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 Conic Sections: Parabola
Learning Objectives

While going through the learning activity sheet, you are expected to:

1. define a parabola;
2. determine the standard form of equation of a parabola;
3. graph a parabola; and
4. write the equation of a parabola based on its graph.

Parabola

In the introduction of conic section, recall that a parabola is formed if a plane

intersects the cone and is parallel to the edge of the cone. In a rectangular plane, a parabola
can be defined as the set of points in a plane that are equidistant from a fixed point called
the focus and a fixed line called the directrix. Take note that the focus must not be in the
directrix. To visualize the graph of a parabola in a rectangular plane, see the illustration.

If P1, P2, and P3 are points in the parabola, then these points must be equidistant
from the focus (point F) and from the directrix (line L). That is, FP1 = P1Q1; FP2 = P2Q2;
and FP3 = P3Q3.

Parabola with Vertex (𝒉, 𝒌) and Vertical Axis of Symmetry

The standard form of the equation of a parabola with vertex (ℎ, 𝑘) and vertical axis of
symmetry is

(𝑥 − ℎ)2 = 4𝑎 (𝑦 − 𝑘) where 𝑎 ≠ 0.

If 4𝑎 > 0, then the parabola opens upward; and if 4𝑎 < 0, the parabola opens
downward. The equation of the axis of symmetry is given by 𝑥 = ℎ. If the parabola opens
upward, its focus is at (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑎) and its directrix is 𝑦 = 𝑘 − 𝑎; and if the parabola opens
downward, its focus is at (ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑎) and its directrix is 𝑦 = 𝑘 + 𝑎.

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 When sketching the graph of a parabola, the endpoints of the latus rectum of the
parabola should be located to determine the length of the opening of the parabola. The latus
rectum is a segment with endpoints in the parabola and with midpoint at the focus of the
parabola. If the parabola opens upward, the coordinates of the endpoints of the latus rectum
are (ℎ − 2𝑎, 𝑘 + 𝑎) and (ℎ + 2𝑎, 𝑘 + 𝑎); and if the parabola opens downward, the coordinates
of the endpoints of the latus rectum are (ℎ − 2𝑎, 𝑘 − 𝑎) and (ℎ + 2𝑎, 𝑘 − 𝑎).

The table below summarizes important details to be determined when graphing a

parabola with vertex (ℎ, 𝑘) and vertical axis of symmetry.

Equation of the (𝑥 − ℎ)2 = 4𝑎 (𝑦 − 𝑘) (𝑥 − ℎ)2 = −4𝑎 (𝑦 − 𝑘)

parabola where 𝑎 ≠ 0. where 𝑎 ≠ 0.
Opening of the
Upward Downward
graph
Vertex (ℎ, 𝑘) (ℎ, 𝑘)

Focus (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑎) (ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑎)

Endpoints of Latus
(ℎ + 2𝑎, 𝑘 + 𝑎); (ℎ − 2𝑎, 𝑘 + 𝑎) (ℎ + 2𝑎, 𝑘 − 𝑎); (ℎ − 2𝑎, 𝑘 − 𝑎)
Rectum
Directrix 𝑦=𝑘−𝑎 𝑦=𝑘+𝑎

Axis of symmetry 𝑥 = ℎ 𝑥 = ℎ

Sketch of the
parabola

Parabola with Vertex (𝒉, 𝒌) and Horizontal Axis of Symmetry

The standard form of the equation of a parabola with vertex (ℎ, 𝑘) and horizontal axis
of symmetry is

(𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 4𝑎 (𝑥 − ℎ) where 𝑎 ≠ 0.

If 4𝑎 > 0, then the parabola opens to the right; and if 4𝑎 < 0, the parabola opens
downward. The equation of the axis of symmetry is given by 𝑦 = 𝑘. if the parabola opens to
the right, its focus is at (ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘) and its directrix is 𝑥 = ℎ − 𝑎; and if the parabola opens to
the left, its focus is at (ℎ − 𝑎, 𝑘) and its directrix is 𝑥 = ℎ + 𝑎.

The coordinates of the endpoints of the latus rectum are (ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘 + 2𝑎) and (ℎ +
𝑎, 𝑘 − 2𝑎) if the parabola opens to the right; and if the parabola opens to the left, the
coordinates of the endpoints of the latus rectum are (ℎ − 𝑎, 𝑘 + 2𝑎) and (ℎ − 𝑎, 𝑘 − 2𝑎).

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 The table below summarizes important details to be determined when graphing a
parabola with vertex (ℎ, 𝑘) and horizontal axis of symmetry.

Equation of the (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 4𝑎 (𝑥 − ℎ) (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = −4𝑎 (𝑥 − ℎ)

parabola where 𝑎 ≠ 0. where 𝑎 ≠ 0.
Opening of the graph Right Left
Vertex (ℎ, 𝑘) (ℎ, 𝑘)
Focus (ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘) (ℎ − 𝑎, 𝑘)
Endpoints of Latus
(ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘 + 2𝑎); (ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘 − 2𝑎) (ℎ − 𝑎, 𝑘 + 2𝑎); (ℎ − 𝑎, 𝑘 − 2𝑎)
Rectum
Directrix 𝑥 =ℎ−𝑎 𝑥 =ℎ+𝑎
Axis of symmetry 𝑦=𝑘 𝑦=𝑘

Sketch of the
parabola

Graphing a Parabola

Example 1:

Given: The equation of the parabola is 𝑦 = −2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1.

a. Write the equation in standard form.
b. Determine the orientation of the opening of the parabola and identify the vertex,
focus, endpoints of the latus rectum, directrix, and axis of symmetry.
c. Graph the parabola.

Solution:

a. To write the equation in standard form, move the 𝑥-terms to the left and the 𝑦-term to
the right. As a result, the equation becomes

2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 = −𝑦 + 1.

Then, factor out 2 from the 𝑥-terms and complete the square on 𝑥 by adding
1 2
[ (2)] = 1 to the 𝑥-terms inside the parenthesis. However, to maintain equality
2
2(1) = 2 must be added to the right side of the equation.

2(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥+ ) = −𝑦 + 1

2(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1) = −𝑦 + 1 + 2 or

2(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1) = −𝑦 + 3

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 To make the coefficient of 𝑦 positive, factor out −1 from the terms at the right side.

2(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1) = −(𝑦 − 3)

By dividing both sides of the equation by 2 and factoring the left side, the resulting
equation is in the standard form of the parabola.

1
(𝑥 − 1)2 = − (𝑦 − 3)
2

b. Since the determined equation of the parabola takes this form (𝑥 − ℎ)2 = −4𝑎 (𝑦 −
𝑘), the parabola opens downward. From the equation, the values of ℎ and 𝑘 are 1
and 3, respectively. Thus, the vertex of the parabola is at (1, 3).

To determine the coordinates of the focus and endpoints of the latus rectum and the
equations of the directrix, compute first for the value of 𝑎. From the determined
equation of the parabola, the following can be inferred.
1 1
−4𝑎 = − or 𝑎 =
2 8

Use the value of 𝑎 to compute for the following:

Solution Answer
1 23
Focus (ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑎) (1, 3 − ) (1, )
8 8
1 1 5 23
(ℎ + 2𝑎, 𝑘 − 𝑎); [1 + 2 ( ) , 3 − ] ; ( , );
Endpoints of 8 8 4 8
Latus Rectum 1 1 3 23
(ℎ − 2𝑎, 𝑘 − 𝑎) [1 − 2 ( ) , 3 − ]
8 8 ( , )
4 8
1 25
Directrix 𝑦=𝑘+𝑎 𝑦=3+ 𝑦=
8 8

Since the parabola opens downward, the axis of symmetry is vertical, and it passes
through the vertex. Thus, the equation of the axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = 1.

c. Graph of the parabola

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Example 2:

Given: The equation of the parabola is 𝑥 = 4𝑦 2 .

a. Write the equation in standard form.

b. Determine the orientation of the opening of the parabola and identify the vertex,
focus, endpoints of the latus rectum, directrix, and axis of symmetry.
c. Graph the parabola.

Solution:

a. To write the equation in standard form, divide both sides of the equation by 4. As a
result, the equation becomes
1 1
𝑥 = 𝑦 2 or 𝑦2 = 𝑥
4 4

1
The resulting equation can be expressed into (𝑦 − 0)2 = (𝑥 − 0), which is the
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standard form of the parabola.

b. Since the determined equation of the parabola takes this form (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 4𝑎 (𝑥 − ℎ),
the parabola opens to the right. From the equation, it can be deduced that ℎ = 0 and
𝑘 = 0. Thus, the vertex of the parabola is at (0, 0).

To determine the coordinates of the focus and endpoints of the latus rectum and the
equations of the directrix, compute first for the value of 𝑎. From the determined
equation of the parabola, the following can be concluded.
1 1
4𝑎 = or 𝑎 =
4 16

Use the value of 𝑎 to compute for the following:

Solution Answer
1 1
Focus (ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘) (0 + , 0) ( , 0)
16 16
1 1
1 1
[0 + , 0 + 2 ( )] ; ( , );
(ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘 + 2𝑎); 16 16 16 8
Endpoints of
Latus Rectum 1 1
(ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘 − 2𝑎) [0 +
1
, 0 − 2 ( )]
1
16 16 ( ,− )
16 8
1 1
Directrix 𝑥 =ℎ−𝑎 𝑥 =0− 𝑥=−
16 16

Since the parabola opens to the right, the axis of symmetry is horizontal, and it
passes through the vertex. Thus, the equation of the axis of symmetry is 𝑦 = 0.

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 c. Graph of the parabola

Writing an Equation of a Parabola

Write an equation of the parabola as shown below.

The vertex of the parabola is at (2, −1); hence, ℎ = 2 and 𝑘 = −1. The parabola
opens upward; thus, the standard equation of the parabola takes this form, (𝑥 − ℎ)2 =
4𝑎 (𝑦 − 𝑘). By substituting the values of h and k, the equation of the parabola becomes

(𝑥 − 2)2 = 4𝑎[𝑦 − (−1)] or (𝑥 − 2)2 = 4𝑎(𝑦 + 1).

From the graph, it can be concluded that the length of the latus rectum is 1 with a
1 1
solution of 2.5 – 1.5 = 1. Thus, 4𝑎 = 1 or 𝑎 = . By substituting 4𝑎 = 1 or 𝑎 = in the
4 4
equation, the result is

(𝑥 − 2)2 = 1(𝑦 + 1) or (𝑥 − 2)2 = 𝑦 + 1.

Thus, the standard equation of the parabola is (𝑥 − 2)2 = 𝑦 + 1.

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Activity 1: Axis of Symmetry and Opening of a
Parabola
Transform the equation into its standard form. Then, determine whether the axis of
symmetry is vertical or horizontal and if the parabola opens upward, downward, right, or left.

Equation of the
Standard Form Axis of Symmetry Opening
Parabola

1. 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 2)2 + 3

2. 𝑦 = −2(𝑥 + 1)2 − 4

3. 𝑥 = 𝑦 2 − 2

4. 𝑥 = 𝑦 2 − 5𝑦 + 1

5. 𝑥 = −2𝑦 2 + 3𝑦 − 2

Activity 2: Graphing a Parabola

1. Given: 𝑥 = 𝑦 2 + 4 Graph:
a. Write the equation in standard form.
b. Determine the orientation of the
opening of the parabola and identify
the vertex, focus, endpoints of the
latus rectum, directrix, and axis of
symmetry.
c. Graph the parabola.

2. Given: 𝑥 = −(𝑦 + 3)2 + 2 Graph:

a. Write the equation in standard form.
b. Determine the orientation of the
opening of the parabola and identify
the vertex, focus, endpoints of the
latus rectum, directrix, and axis of
symmetry.
c. Graph the parabola.

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 3. Given: 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 4)2 + 2
Graph:
a. Write the equation in standard form.
b. Determine the orientation of the
opening of the parabola and identify
the vertex, focus, endpoints of the
latus rectum, directrix, and axis of
symmetry.
c. Graph the parabola.

Activity 3: Writing an Equation of a Parabola

Write the standard equation of the circle with the following graphs

1.

2.

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Reflection:
Answer the following questions

1. Explain how to determine whether a parabola has a vertical or horizontal axis of

symmetry.

2. Explain how to determine whether a parabola opens upward, downward, left, or right.

3. Label the graph by providing the coordinates of the vertex, focus, and endpoints of
the latus rectum and the equations of the parabola, directrix and axis of symmetry.

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Answer Key

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13
 References
CK-12, M. Spong, and K Spong. 2020. CK-12. April 21. Accessed July 30, 2021.
https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-precalculus-concepts-
2.0/section/9.1/primary/lesson/general-form-of-a-conic-pcalc.

CK-12, M. Spong, and K Spong. 2020. CK-12. April 21. Accessed July 30, 2021.
https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-precalculus-concepts-
2.0/section/9.2/primary/lesson/parabolas-pcalc

n.d. "Conic Sections." https://people.ucsc.edu/~miglior/chapter%20pdf/Ch11_SE.pdf.

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Weekly Home Learning Plan

Learning Mode of
Day and Time Learning Area Learning Task
Competency Delivery
Monday Pre-calculus Define a parabola Read and Modular
8:30 – 11:30 (STEM_PC11AG- understand the Distance
Ia-5). discussion on: Learning
a. Parabola;
Determine the b. Equation of a
standard form of parabola with
equation of a vertical axis
Parabola of symmetry;
(STEM_PC11AG- c. Equation of a
Ib-1). parabola with
horizontal
axis of
symmetry;
and
d. writing an
equation of a
parabola.

Afterwards,
answer the
following
activities:
a. Activity 1;
b. Activity 2;
c. Activity 3; and
d. Reflection

Check your
answers for the
different
activities by
referring them to
the key answer.

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Department of Education – Cordillera Administrative Region
Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet
Telefax: 442-1318 / 422-4074
Email Address: car@deped.gov.ph
Social Media: facebook.com/DepEdCordillera

Regional LRMS TN: 2845-13-21MELCS

Conic Sections: Parabola
Learning Activity Sheet in Pre-Calculus

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