PARABOLA

Parabola
Is an open curve defined as
a set of all points, each of
which is equidistant from a
fixed point known as the
focus F and a fixed line
known as the directrix.
Vertex V
Is the turning point of the
curve and is collinear with
the focus F.
Axis of symmetry of the
parabola
the line that connects the
Standard form of parabola with
vertex at (h,k)
(y-k) = 4a(x-h), if the
2

parabola opens to the left or

right;
(x-h)2= 4a(y-k), if the
parabola opens upwards or
downwards
Latus rectum
Line segment that intersects
the parabola through the focus
Always perpendicular to the
axis of symmetry and parallel
to the directrix.
Constant 4a
Total length of latus rectum
 The focus and the
vertex are a units
apart
The vertex and the
directrix are also a
units apart.
If the vertex of the parabola is at origin, the
standard form will be
Case 1: y2 = 4ax if the parabola
opens to the left or right
From the origin, move a units to the right if 4a
is positive. This will give you (a,0) as the
focus. Draw the latus rectum, a vertical
segment of the length 4a units, with the focus
as its midpoint. Mark the endpoints of the
latus rectum whose coordinates are (a, 2a)
and (a,-2a). Connect the vertex to each of the
endpoints by a smooth curve that extends to
Case 2: x2 = 4ay if the parabola opens
upward or downward
From the origin, move a units upward if 4a
is positive. This will give you (0,a) as the
focus. The latus rectum will now be
horizontal segment of the length 4a units
with the focus as its midpoint. Mark the
endpoints of the latus rectum as whose
coordinates are (2a,a) and (-2a,a).
Connect the vertex to each of the
endpoints by a curve that extends
upwards.
 Different Cases of the equation of the
parabola
Case Equ Points and Graph
atio lines
n
Parabola y2 = Vertex (0,0)
Focus (a,0)
with 4ax Directrix is the
line x=-a
V(0,0), Endpoints of th
horizontal latus rectum
ELR1: (a, 2a)
axis of ELR2: (a, -2a)
symmetry Axis of
symmetry: y=0
 Case Equa Points and Graph
tion lines

Parabola x2 = Vertex (0,0)

with 4ay Focus (0,a)
V(0,0), Directrix is
the line y=-a
vertical Endpoints of
axis of the latus
symmetry rectum
ELR1: (2a,a)
ELR2: (-2a,a)
Axis of
symmetry:
x=0
Case Equation Points and
lines
Parabola (y-k)2 = 4a(x-h) Vertex (h,k)
with V(h,k), Focus (h+a,k)
horizontal Directrix is the line
x=h-a
axis of Endpoints of th
symmetry latus rectum
ELR1:
(h+a,k+2a)
ELR2: (h+a,k-2a)
Axis of symmetry:
y=k
GRAPH
Case Equation Points and
lines
Parabola (x-h)2 = 4a(y-k) Vertex (h,k)
with V(h,k), Focus (h,k+a)
vertical Directrix is the line
y=k-a
axis of Endpoints of th latus
symmetry rectum
ELR1: (h+2a,k+a)
ELR2: (h-a,k+a)
Axis of symmetry:
x=h
GRAPH
Example:
Graph the parabola
1. y = 8x
2

2. X + 12y = 0
2
Solution:
1. Since y2 = 8x is of form y2 = 4ax, the vertex
is at origin. This means that 8=4a, which
gives us a=2.
Hence, we have the following:
The vertex is at (0,0)
The directrix is the line x = -2
The length of the latus rectum is 4a=8
The focus F is at (2, 0) since the value of 4a
is positive
The endpoints of the ends of the latus
rectum are (2,4) and (2,-4)
Thus, the graph is as follows:
Solution:
2. Rewrite the equation into x2 = -12y
where: 4a = -12 or a = -3
The vertex is at (0,0), while the focus is at
(0,-3).
The directrix is at the line y=3.
Since a is negative, the parabola opens
downward
The length of the latus rectum is |4a| = |4(-3)|
= |-12| = 12
The endpoints of the latus rectum are (-6, -3)
and (6, -3)
So, the graph shows:
EXCERCISES
Graph the parabola
1. y2 = -16x
2. X2+ 8y = 0
Sketch the graph of (y – 4)2 = 12(x+3)
Solution:
Vertex is V(-3, 4)
Directrix is at the line x = -6
We see that 4a = 12
Hence, a = 3
The focus is given by
F(h+a, k) = F(-3+3, 4) = F(0,4)
The endpoints of the latus rectum are:
(h+a, k+2a) = (3-3, 4+6) = (0,10)
(h+a, k-2a) = (3-3, 4-6) = (0, -2)
Draw the graph of y2 + 4y + 16x +20
Solution:
Transform the equation into
standard form by completing the
square
y2 + 4y + ( )2 = -16x-20 + ( )2
y2 + 4y + 4 = -16x-20 + 4
(y+2)2 = -16x-16
(y+2)2 = -16(x+1)
We see that (y+2)2 = -16(x+1)
is a parabola that opens to the left since
4a = -16
The vertex is V(-1, -2)
The directrix is at the line x=3
We have 4a = -16.
This gives us a=-4 and 2a = -8
The focus F(h+a,k) = (-1 + (-4), -2)= F(-5,-2)
The endpoints of the latus rectum are
(h+a, k+2a) = (-1+(-4), -2+ -8) = (-5, -10) and
(h+a, k-2a) = (-1 + (-4), -2 – (-8)) = (-5,6)
The graph shows
Graph the following
parabolas and find the (a)
vertices; (b) foci; and (c)
endpoints of their latera
rectae:
1. (x-2) = -14(y-2)
2

2. y – 6y -7x -54 = 0
2
A certain bridge is supported by a
reinforced parabolic arc. The bridge deck,
being the directrix of the parabolic arc, has
the equation y=24, where 24 represents its
vertical clearance of 24 ft from the surface
of the river. The bridge deck is 6 ft above
the peak of the arc. If the tallest column on
the left represents the y-axis and is 60 ft
away from the corresponding column to
the right, find the coordinates of the vertex,
the focus, the endpoints of the latus
rectum, and the general equation that
describes the arc.
Solution: The parabolic arc is opening
downwards. Therefore its equation is in the
form of (x-h)2 = -4a(y-k).
The distance between the bridge deck and the
peak of the parabola is 6 ft, which gives us
the value a=6. Since the bridge deck is 24 ft
above the surface of the river, the y-
coordinate of the vertex is 18. The distance
between the two corresponding columns is 60
ft. Since the structure and its parabolic arc is
symmetric, the vertex must be midway
between the two columns. Its x-coordinates
should, then, be 30. Thus the vertex is located
at (30, 18).
Plugging in the value of a and the
coordinates of the vertex into the
equation in a parabola in standard form,
we now have the equation
(x-30)2 = -24(y-18).
The focus is 6 ft below the vertex; hence
its coordinates are (30, 12). The
endpoints of the latus rectum are 12 ft
both to the left and to the right of the
focus, giving us the coordinates (18, 12)
and (42,12)