What is a Parabola

A parabola is the set of all points in a plane equidistant

from a particular line (the directrix) and a particular
point (the focus) in the plane.

3.5

2.5

FOCUS POINT Same Distance!

DIRECTRIX
 Important Parts in Graphing a
Parabola
• Vertex
• Focus
• Directrix
• Axis of Symmetry
• Endpoints of Latus rectum
Name the parts of the given parabola

Focus
Endpoints of
Latus Rectum

Vertex

Directrix
Axis of Symmetry
What is the equation of the parabola

with the directrix parallel to the x-axis and

vertex at the origin?

x2 = 4py

with the directrix parallel to the y-axis and a

vertex at the origin?

y2 = 4px
What is the equation of the parabola

with the directrix parallel to the x-axis and

vertex at (h, k)?

(x - h)2 = 4p(y - k)

with the directrix parallel to the y-axis and a

vertex at (h, k)?

(y - k)2 = 4p(x - h)
Complete the pattern in finding the parts
of the parabola:

PARABOLA OPENS UPWARD

Vertex at Vertex at
Parts Origin (h,k)

Focus (0,p) (h, k + p)

Endpoints of the L1: (-2p, p) & L1: (h-2p, k+p) &

Latus Rectum L2: (h+2p, k+p)
L2: (2p, p)
Equation of the
Directrix y = -p y=k–p

Equation of Axis of
Symmetry x=0 x=h
Complete the pattern in finding the parts
of the parabola:

PARABOLA OPENS DOWNWARD

Vertex at Vertex at
Parts Origin (h,k)

Focus (0, -p) (h, k – p)

Endpoints of the L1: (-2p, -p) & L1: (h-2p, k – p) &

Latus Rectum L2: (h+2p, k+p)
L2: (2p, -p)
Equation of the
Directrix y=p y=k+p

Equation of Axis of
Symmetry x=0 x=h
Complete the pattern in finding the parts
of the parabola:

PARABOLA OPENS TO THE RIGHT

Vertex at Vertex at
Parts Origin (h,k)

Focus (p, 0) (h+ p, k)

Endpoints of the L1: (p, -2p) & L1: (h+p, k-2p) &
Latus Rectum L2: (h+p, k+2p)
L2: (p, 2p)
Equation of the
Directrix y = -p y= h–p

Equation of Axis of
Symmetry y=0 y=k
Complete the pattern in finding the parts
of the parabola:

PARABOLA OPENS TO THE LEFT

Vertex at Vertex at
Parts Origin (h,k)

Focus (-p, 0) (h – p, k)

Endpoints of the L1: (-p, -2p) & L1: (h – p, k – 2p)

Latus Rectum & L2: (h+p, k+2p)
L2: (-p, 2p)
Equation of the
Directrix x=p y= h+p

Equation of Axis of
Symmetry y=0 y=k
 WRITING
EQUATION OF
PARABOLA
 TAKEAWAYS

Learning Objectives
1. Recall the concepts about a
parabola.
2. Write the equation of a parabola in
standard form.
3. Express appreciation of the lesson
by participating actively in the
prepared activities
WRITING EQUATION OF
PARABOLA
WITH VERTEX AT THE
ORIGIN
 Writing the Equation of the Parabola
Write the equation of the parabola in standard form
with vertex at the origin that satisfies the given
conditions. Then, graph.
1. The focus has the coordinates (0,-3)
2. The equation of the directrix is y – 8 = 0.
3. The length of the latus rectum is 20 and the
parabola opens to the left.
4. The parabola contains the point (3, 3) and
opens to the right.
5. The focus is on the x – axis and the parabola
passes through the point (2,4)
GRAPHING PARABOLA
WITH VERTEX AT (h,k)
Standard Equations of Parabola
with Vertex (h,k)

opens left

opens right
Graph:  y  2 2
 8x  1 Vertex?
Opens? right
(set (x + 1) = 0 and get
x = -1 and set
Focus? 4p = 8 so p = 2. Focus is 2 (y - 2) = 0 and get
away from vertex in
y = 2).
direction parabola opens.
Vertex is (-1, 2)
(1, 6)
Length of latus rectum?
x = -3
This is number in front of
parenthesis which is 8, so 4
(-1, 2) (1, 2)
each way from focus.
Directrix?
(1, -2) “p" away from the vertex
so 2 away in opposite
direction of focus.
 2. (x + 3)2 = 4(y + 1)
Find the vertex, focus and directrix. Then sketch the graph of the
parabola

(–3, - 1)
Vertex: __________ y

upward
The parabola opens _____________.

F (-3, 0)
Find p. 4p = 4
x
p=1 V (-3, -1)
y = –2 (directrix)
(–3, 0)
Focus: ___________

y = –2
Directrix:___________
 Graph the following parabola

1. (y + 3)2 = 12(x – 1 )
2. (x + 3)2 = 4(y – 1)
3. 1/8(x – 2)2 = y + 3
4. -(y + 3)2 = 16(x + 4)
5. 3(y – 3)2 = -12(x+2)
WRITING EQUATION OF
PARABOLA
WITH VERTEX AT (h,k)
 Writing the Equation of the Parabola

1. Find the standard form of the equation for the

parabola with vertex (3, 4) and focus (5, 4).

2. Write the equation of the parabola with a

focus at (3, 5) and the directrix at x = 9, in
standard form.

3. Find the equation of the parabola that has a

minimum at (-2, 6) and passes through the point
(2, 8).
 Writing the Equation of the Parabola

1. Find the standard form of the equation for the

parabola with vertex (3, 4) and focus (5, 4).
 Writing the Equation of the Parabola

2. Write the equation of the parabola with a

focus at (3, 5) and the directrix at x = 9, in
standard form.

(y – 5)2 = 4(-3)(x – 6)

(y – 5)2 = -12(x – 6)
 Writing the Equation of the Parabola

Find the equation of the parabola that has a

minimum at (-2, 6) and passes through the
point (2, 8).

(x - h)2 = 4p(y - k)
(x +2)2 = 4(2)(y - 6)
(x + 2)2 = 8(y - 6)
Find the equation in standard form of the
parabola with the specified features:

1. Vertex at (2,4), focus 3 units above the vertex

2. Vertex (1, -2), directrix 3 units below the vertex
3. Focus (1,3), directrix 8 units to the left of the
focus
4. Focus (3,2) directrix 4 units to the right of the
vertex
5. Directrix x = 5, vertex 3 units to the left of the
focus
Find the equation in standard form of the
parabola with the specified features:

6. Directrix y = -5, vertex 2 units above the

directrix

7. Vertex (3,2) vertical directrix, through the point

(6, 4/3)
 WRITING GENERAL
EQUATION OF
PARABOLA
TO STANDARD FORM
Writing General Equation to Standard Form
Since y is squared, we'll
complete the square on the y's
and get the x term to other side.

1 1

Now we have it in standard form

we can find the vertex, focus,
directrix and graph.
Writing General Equation to Standard Form

1. x2 + 6x – 10y = -29
2. 4x2 – 4x – 24y = 59

Your Turn!!!
Answer page 40, numbers 21 – 30.
FORMATIVE TEST
Graph the following parabolas. Identify
the focus, directrix and endpoints of the
latus rectum.
1. x2 = 24y
2. y2 = 12x
3. x2 = −8y
4. (y−1)2=−16(x+3)
5. (x+2)2=−20(y−3)
Find the equation of the parabola given that
the vertex is (0,0) and the focus or directrix.
1. focus: (4,0)
2. directrix: x = 10
3. Opens left or right, Vertex: (7, 6), Passes
through: (−11, 9)
Real World Application 
A satellite dish is a 3-dimensional
parabola used to retrieve sound,
TV, or other waves. Assuming the
vertex is (0,0), where would the
focus have to be on a
satellite dish that is 4 feet wide
and 9 inches deep? You may
assume the parabola has a
vertical orientation (opens up).
Balcony-sized solar cookers have been designed for
families living in India. The top of a dish has a diameter of
1600 mm. The sun’s rays reflect off the parabolic mirror
toward the “cooker,” which is placed 320 mm from the
base.
1. Find an equation that models a cross-section of the
solar cooker. Assume that the vertex of the parabolic
mirror is the origin of the coordinate plane, and that the
parabola opens to the right (i.e., has the x-axis as its
axis of symmetry).
2. Use the equation found in part (a) to find the depth of
the cooker.
y =1280x
2

The depth of the cooker is 500 mm