PARABOLA

Parabola
It is a set of all points (x,y) in a
plane that are equidistant from
a fixed line, called the directrix,
and a fixed point called the
focus, not on the line.
The vertex is the midpoint
between the focus and the
directrix.
The axis of symmetry of
the parabola is the line
passing through the focus
and the vertex.
Standard equation
of a Parabola
Equation Ver Focus Direc Description
trix /formula
tex
= 4p(y-k) (h,k) (h, k+p) y = k-p Axis of
symmetry is
parallel to the
y-axis
x=h
= 4p(x-h) (h,k) Axis
Axis of
(h,k) (h+p,
(h+p, k)
k) x=
x= h-p
h-p of
symmetry
symmetry is is
parallel
parallel to
to the
the
x-axis
x-axis
y=k
y=k
1. Determine the
  

vertex, focus,
directrix, and axis of
symmetry of parabola
whose equation is
= 20y.
  
= 20y


 = 4(5)y
Parabola opens upward
Vertex: (0,0)
p = 5
focus: (h,k+p)
(0,0+5)
(0,5)
Directrix: y = k-p
 y = k-5
 y = 0-5
 y = -5
Axis of Symmetry: x = 0
Exercises:
2. Find the equation
of the parabola with
vertex at (0,0) and
focus at (0, -4).
  

 = 4p(y-k)
 = 4(-4)(y-0)
 = -16y
3. Find the equation of
the parabola with vertex
at (-7, 4) and focus is
(-1,4).
  

 = 4p(x-h)
 = 4(6)(x+7)
 = 24(x+7)
4. Find the vertex,
axis of symmetry and
the equation of
parabola with focus at
(0,2) and directrix
y = -4.
  
Vertex: (0,-1)


Axis of Symmetry: x = 0
 = 4p(y-k)
 = 4(3)(y+1)
 = 12(y+1)
  
5. Reduce the


equation of the
parabola - 8y –
12x -8 = 0 to standard
form.
  
Using completing the square we have:


- 8y – 12x -8 = 0
 - 8y = 12x + 8
- 8y + 16 = 12x+8+16
 = 12x + 24
 = 12(x+2)
Answer the following questions on
parabola.
  1.

Reduce the equation of the parabola + 4x +32y
-84 = 0 to standard form and find the vertex,
focus, directrix and axis of symmetry.
 2. Find the equation of the parabola with
vertex at (8, 3) and focus is (8,0).