Conic Sections

Parabola
 Conic Sections - Parabola

The intersection of a
plane with one nappe
of the cone is a
parabola.
 Conic Sections - Parabola

The parabola has the characteristic shape shown

above. A parabola is defined to be the “set of points
the same distance from a point and a line”.
 Conic Sections - Parabola

Focus

Directrix

The line is called the directrix and the point is called

the focus.
 Conic Sections - Parabola

Focus Axis of
Symmetry

Vertex Directrix

The line perpendicular to the directrix passing through

the focus is the axis of symmetry. The vertex is the
point of intersection of the axis of symmetry with the
parabola.
 Conic Sections - Parabola

Focus

d1

d2 Directrix

The definition of the parabola is the set of points the

same distance from the focus and directrix. Therefore,
d1 = d2 for any point (x, y) on the parabola.
Latus Rectum

Parabola
 Conic Sections - Parabola
The latus rectum is the line segment passing through
the focus, perpendicular to the axis of symmetry with
endpoints on the parabola.

Latus
Focus Rectum

y = ax2

Vertex
(0, 0)
Parabola – Example 1
Graph the function. Find the focus, directrix, and latus
rectum of the equation y2=2x
Parabola – Example 2
Graph the function. Find the focus, directrix, and latus
rectum of the equation x2=-6y
Building a Table of
Rules
Parabola
Building a Table of Rules

x2=4py y2=4px
Parabola w/ Vertical Parabola w/
axis Horizontal axis
p>0 opens up p>0 opens right
p<0 opens down p<0 opens left
Vertex: (0,0) Vertex: (0,0)
Focus: (0, p) Focus: (p, 0)
Directrix: y = – p Directrix: x = -p
Latus Rectum: |4p| Latus Rectum: |4p|
Paraboloid
Revolution
Parabola
 Paraboloid Revolution

A paraboloid
revolution results from
rotating a parabola
around its axis of
symmetry as shown
at the right.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:ParaboloidOfRevolution.png
GNU Free Documentation License
Paraboloid Revolution

They are commonly

used today in satellite
technology as well as
lighting in motor
vehicle headlights
and flashlights.
Paraboloid Revolution

The focus becomes an

important point. As waves
approach a properly
positioned parabolic
reflector, they reflect back
toward the focus. Since the
distance traveled by all of the
waves is the same, the wave
is concentrated at the focus
where the receiver is
positioned.
 Example 4 – Satellite Receiver

A satellite dish has a diameter of 8 feet.

The depth of the dish is 1 foot at the center
of the dish. Where should the receiver be
placed?
8 ft
(?, ?)
1 ft

V(0, 0)

Let the vertex be at (0, 0). What are the coordinates of

a point at the diameter of the dish?
Sample Problems

Parabola
 Sample Problems

1. (y + 3)2 = 12(x -1)

a. Find the vertex, focus, directrix, and length of
the latus rectum.
b. Sketch the graph.
c. Graph using a grapher.
 Sample Problems

2. 2x2 + 8x – 3 + y = 0
a. Find the vertex, focus, directrix, axis of
symmetry and length of the latus rectum.
b. Sketch the graph.
c. Graph using a grapher.
 Sample Problems

3. Write the equation of a parabola with vertex at

(3, 2) and focus at (-1, 2).
Plot the known points.

What can be
determined from
these points?
 Sample Problems

4. Write the equation of a parabola with focus at

(4, 0) and directrix y = 2.
Graph the known values.

What can be determined

from the graph?

The parabola opens down

and has a model of
4p(y + k) = (x – h)2

What is the vertex?

 Sample Problems

4. Write the equation of a parabola with focus at

(4, 0) and directrix y = 2.
The vertex must be on the
axis of symmetry, the same
distance from the focus and
directrix. The vertex must be
the midpoint of the focus and
the intersection of the axis
and directrix.

The vertex is (4, 1)

 Parabola – Assignment

Wksheet #12-15**, 28-31, 36, 37,

40-43
**Find the vertex, direction of opening,
focus, directrix, latus rectum.

Please do your assignment on graph

paper!!