SH1712

PARABOLA

I. Vertical Parabola
A vertical parabola is of the standard form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐.
• If 𝑎 > 0, then the parabola opens upward. If 𝑎 < 0, then it opens downward.
• The 𝑦-intercept is (0, 𝑐).
• To find the 𝑥 -intercept(s), we let 𝑦 = 0 and solve for 𝑥 (by factoring,
completing the square, or by quadratic formula).
𝑏
• The axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = − .
2𝑎
𝑏 𝑏
• The vertex is at (− 2𝑎 , 𝑦) where 𝑦 is solved by substituting − 2𝑎 for 𝑥.

Example 1
Consider 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3.
• Determine if the parabola opens downward or upward.
• Find the intercepts.
• Find the axis of symmetry.
• Find the vertex.
Solution:
In the equation, 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = −2, and 𝑐 = −3.
• Since 𝑎 > 0, the parabola opens upward.
• The 𝑦-intercept is at (0, 𝑐) or (0, −3).
To find the 𝑥-intercepts, we let 𝑦 = 0 and solve for 𝑥.
0 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3
0 = (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑥 = 3 or 𝑥 = −1
The 𝑥-intercepts are (3,0) and (−1,0).
𝑏 (−2)
• The axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = − 2𝑎 = − 2(1) or 𝑥 = 1.
𝑏
• To find the vertex, we let 𝑥 = − 2𝑎 = 1 and solve for 𝑦.
𝑦 = (1)2 − 2(1) − 3
=1−2−3
= −4
𝑏
Hence, the vertex is at (− 2𝑎 , 𝑦) or (1, −4).

Example 2
Consider 𝑦 = −4𝑥 2 − 20𝑥 − 12.
• Determine if the parabola opens downward or upward.
• Find the intercepts.
• Find the axis of symmetry.
• Find the vertex.

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Solution:
In the equation, 𝑎 = −4, 𝑏 = −20, and 𝑐 = −12.
• Since 𝑎 < 0, the parabola opens downward.
• The 𝑦-intercept is at (0, 𝑐) or (0, −12).
To find the 𝑥-intercepts, we let 𝑦 = 0 and solve for 𝑥 by completing the
square.
0 = −4𝑥 2 − 20𝑥 − 12
0 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 3
𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 = −3
25 25
𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + = −3 +
4 4
5 2 13
(𝑥 + ) =
2 4
5 ±√13
𝑥+ =
2 2
−5+√13 −5−√13
𝑥 = 2 or 𝑥 = 2
−5+√13 −5−√13
The 𝑥-intercepts are ( , 0) and ( , 0).
2 2
𝑏 (−20) 5
• The axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = − 2𝑎 = − 2(−4) or 𝑥 = − 2.
𝑏 5
• To find the vertex, we let 𝑥 = − 2𝑎 = − 2 and solve for 𝑦.
5 2 5
𝑦 = −4 (− ) − 20 (− ) − 12
2 2
25
= −4 ( ) + 50 − 12
4
= −25 + 50 − 12
= 13
𝑏 5
Hence, the vertex is at (− 2𝑎 , 𝑦) or (− 2 , 13).

II. Horizontal Parabola

A horizontal parabola is of the standard form 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑦 2 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐.
• If 𝑎 > 0, then the parabola opens to the right. If 𝑎 < 0, then it opens to the left.
• The 𝑥-intercept is (𝑐, 0).
• To find the 𝑦 -intercept(s), we let 𝑥 = 0 and solve for 𝑦 (by factoring,
completing the square, or by quadratic formula).
𝑏
• The axis of symmetry is 𝑦 = − 2𝑎.
𝑏 𝑏
• The vertex is at (𝑥, − 2𝑎) where 𝑥 is solved by substituting − 2𝑎 for 𝑦.

Example 3
Consider 𝑥 = −𝑦 2 + 6𝑦 + 7.
• Determine if the parabola opens to the right or to the left.
• Find the intercepts.

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• Find the axis of symmetry.

• Find the vertex.
Solution:
In the equation, 𝑎 = −1, 𝑏 = 6, and 𝑐 = 7.
• Since 𝑎 < 0, the parabola opens to the left.
• The 𝑥-intercept is at (𝑐, 0) or (7,0).
To find the 𝑦-intercepts, we let 𝑥 = 0 and solve for 𝑦.
0 = −𝑦 2 + 6𝑦 + 7
0 = 𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 − 7
0 = (𝑦 − 7)(𝑦 + 1)
𝑦 = 7 or 𝑦 = −1
The 𝑦-intercepts are (0,7) and (0, −1).
𝑏 6
• The axis of symmetry is 𝑦 = − 2𝑎 = − 2(−1) or 𝑦 = 3.
𝑏
• To find the vertex, we let 𝑦 = − 2𝑎 = 3 and solve for 𝑥.
𝑥 = −(3)2 + 6(3) + 7
= −9 + 18 + 7
= 16
𝑏
Hence, the vertex is at (𝑥, − ) or (16,3).
2𝑎

Special Notes:

a. If p is the distance from the vertex to the focus point (called the focal length),
it is also the distance from the vertex to the directrix. Therefore, the distance
from the focus to the directrix is 2p.
b. Consider the parabola with vertex at (0, 0).
If the focus of such a parabola is the point F(0, p), then the axis of symmetry
must be vertical, and the directrix has the equation y = -p.

III. Directrix – Focus Form of a Parabola

Consider a parabola opening upward. The

vertex (ℎ, 𝑘) is the midpoint of the line
segment connecting the focus and the
directrix. If we let the distance from focus to
directrix be equal to 𝑝, then the focus will be
at (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑝) and the directrix will have the
equation 𝑦 = 𝑘 − 𝑝. Take an arbitrary point
(𝑥, 𝑦) on the parabola. By definition,

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𝑑1 = 𝑑2
√(𝑥 − 𝑥)2 + [𝑦 − (𝑘 − 𝑝)]2 = √(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + [𝑦 − (𝑘 + 𝑝)]2
(𝑥 − 𝑥)2 + [𝑦 − (𝑘 − 𝑝)]2 = (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + [𝑦 − (𝑘 + 𝑝)]2
[𝑦 − (𝑘 − 𝑝)]2 = (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + [𝑦 − (𝑘 + 𝑝)]2
𝑦 − 2𝑦(𝑘 − 𝑝) + (𝑘 − 𝑝)2 = (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦(𝑘 + 𝑝) + (𝑘 + 𝑝)2
2

2𝑦(𝑘 + 𝑝) − 2𝑦(𝑘 − 𝑝) = (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + (𝑘 + 𝑝)2 − (𝑘 − 𝑝)2

2𝑦[(𝑘 + 𝑝) − (𝑘 − 𝑝)] = (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + (𝑘 2 + 2𝑘𝑝 + 𝑝2 ) − (𝑘 2 − 2𝑘𝑝 + 𝑝2 )
2𝑦(2𝑝) = (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 4𝑘𝑝
4𝑝𝑦 = (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 4𝑘𝑝
1
𝑦= (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘
4𝑝

The directrix are derived similarly and are summarized in the table below:
Vertical Parabola
Opening upward
1
• Directrix: 𝑦 = 4𝑝 (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘
• Focus: (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑝)
• Directrix: 𝑦 = 𝑘 − 𝑝
Opening downward:
1
• Directrix – Focus Form: 𝑦 = − 4𝑝 (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘
• Focus: (ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑝)
• Directrix: 𝑦 = 𝑘 + 𝑝
Horizontal Parabola
Opening to the right
1
• Directrix: 𝑥 = 4𝑝 (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 + ℎ
• Focus: (ℎ + 𝑝, 𝑘)
• Directrix: 𝑥 = ℎ − 𝑝
Opening to the left:
1
• Directrix: 𝑥 = − (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 + ℎ
4𝑝
• Focus: (ℎ − 𝑝, 𝑘)
• Directrix: 𝑥 = ℎ + 𝑝
Example 4
Find the vertex, focus, and directrix of 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 8𝑦 + 16 = 0.
Solution:
First step is to transform the equation into standard form.
𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 8𝑦 + 16 = 0
8𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 16
1
𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 2
8
1
We see that 𝑎 = 8 > 0 and 𝑥 is of second-degree. Hence, it is a vertical parabola
opening upward. Now, we transform the equation to directrix.

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1
𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 2
8
1 2
𝑦 = (𝑥 − 8𝑥) + 2
8
1 2
𝑦 = (𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 16) + 2 − 2
8
1
𝑦 = (𝑥 − 4)2 + 0
8

Hence,
ℎ = 4; 𝑘 = 0
1 1
=
4𝑝 8
4𝑝 = 8
𝑝=2
Therefore, vertex is at (ℎ, 𝑘) or (4,0). Focus is at (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑝) or (4,2). Directrix is
𝑦 = 𝑘 − 𝑝 or 𝑦 = −2.

Example 5
Find the vertex, focus, and directrix of 3𝑦 2 − 24𝑦 − 12𝑥 + 12 = 0.
Solution:
Transforming the equation into standard form.
3𝑦 2 − 24𝑦 − 12𝑥 + 12 = 0
12𝑥 = 3𝑦 2 − 24𝑦 + 12
1
𝑥 = 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 1
4
1
We see that 𝑎 = 4 > 0 and 𝑦 is of second-degree. Hence, it is a horizontal parabola
opening to the right. Now, we transform the equation to directrix.
1
𝑥 = 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + 1
4
1 2
𝑥 = (𝑦 − 8𝑦) + 1
4
1 2
𝑥 = (𝑦 − 8𝑦 + 16) + 1 − 4
4
1
𝑥 = (𝑦 − 4)2 − 3
4
Hence,
ℎ = −3; 𝑘 = 4
1 1
=
4𝑝 4
4𝑝 = 4
𝑝=1
Therefore, vertex is at (ℎ, 𝑘) or (−3, 4). Focus is at (ℎ + 𝑝, 𝑘) or (−2,4).
Directrix is 𝑥 = ℎ − 𝑝 or 𝑥 = −4.

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IV. GRAPHING A PARABOLA

STEP 1: Determine what type of parabola.
STEP 2: Find the vertex.
STEP 3: Solve for the 𝑦 – intercept(s) by letting 𝑥 = 0 and solving for 𝑦.
STEP 4: Solve for the 𝑥 – intercept(s) by letting 𝑦 = 0 and solving for 𝑥.
STEP 5: Graph the parabola using the points in previous steps.

Example
Plot 𝑦 = 2(𝑥 + 4)2 − 8.

Solution:
From the table in Page 3, it is a vertical parabola opening upward. We see that
ℎ = −4 and 𝑘 = −8. Hence, vertex is at (−4, −8). To solve for 𝑦-intercept(s),
we let 𝑥 = 0.
𝑦 = 2(0 + 4)2 − 8
= 2(4)2 − 8
= 2(16) − 8
= 32 − 8
= 24
Therefore, the 𝑦-intercept is (0,24). To solve for the 𝑥-intercept(s), we let 𝑦 = 0.
0 = 2(𝑥 + 4)2 − 8
8 = 2(𝑥 + 4)2
4 = (𝑥 + 4)2
±2 = 𝑥 + 4
𝑥 = −4 ± 2
𝑥 = −4 − 2; 𝑥 = −4 + 2
𝑥 = −6; 𝑥 = −2
Therefore, the 𝑥-intercepts are (−2,0) and (−6,0). Using these points, we plot the
parabola:

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References:
Pleacher, D. (n.d.). Applications of parabola [Web log post]. Retrieved from
http://www.pleacher.com/mp/mlessons/calculus/appparab.html
Coburn, J. (2016). Pre-Calculus. 2 Penn Plaza, New York. McGraw Hill Education.
Lisa. (n.d.). Conics: circles, parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas [Web log post]. Retrieved from:
http://www.shelovesmath.com/precal/parametrics-and-conics/
Graphing parabolas in vertex form. (n.d.). In Mesa Community College. Retrieved from:
http://www.mesacc.edu/~scotz47781/mat120/notes/graph_quads/vertex_form/graph_qua
ds_vertex_form.html
Huettenmueller, R. (2012). Precalculus demystified. United States: McGraw Hill.
Stapel, E. (n.d.). Conics: parabolas introduction. In Purplemath. Retrieved from:
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/parabola.htm
Stewart, J., Redlin, L., & Watson, S. (2014). Precalculus mathematics for calculus (7th ed.).
Boston, Massachusetts: Cengage Learning.
The uses of parabola. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www3.ul.ie/~rynnet/swconics/UP.htm

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