PARABOLA

EMATH 0
 OBJECTIVES:

• To describe or identify properties of a parabola

• To write the equations of parabola from the given
conditions.
• To sketch the section or the curve.
 PARABOLA
A parabola is the set of points on a plane equidistant from a
fixed point and a fixed line.

Properties of a Parabola:
Vertex is the point midway between the focus and the directrix
and is denoted by V. It is the intersection of a parabola and its
axis.
Focus is the fixed point and is denoted by F. It is a units from
the vertex. Its location with respect to the vertex identifies the
opening of a parabola.
Directrix is the fixed line perpendicular to the axis and is
denoted by D. It is a units from the other side of the vertex.
Latus Rectum (focal chord) is the chord that gives the length
of the opening of a parabola as 4a, has end points that are 2a
units from the focus.
latus rectum
directrix
focus
vertex axis of parabola
 STANDARD FORMS OF THE EQUATION OF A PARABOLA
Parabola with vertex at (0,0)
a) If a parabola opens to the right,
b) If a parabola opens to the left,
c) If a parabola opens upward,
d) If a parabola opens downward, .
Parabola with vertex at (h,k)
e) If a parabola opens to the right,
f) If a parabola opens to the left,
g) If a parabola opens upward,
h) If a parabola opens downward, .
GENERAL FORMS OF THE EQUATION OF A PARABOLA

Parabola with a horizontal axis

Parabola with a vertical axis

Exercises:
1. The equation of a parabola is . Find the coordinates of the
focus and the end points of the latus rectum. Also, find the
equation of the directrix. Then sketch the parabola.
2. The equation of a parabola is . Find the coordinates of the
vertex, focus, and endpoints of the latus rectum. Also, find
the equation of the directrix. Then sketch the parabola.
3. Find an equation of the parabola satisfying the given
properties. Then sketch the parabola.
(a) Vertex at (0,0) and focus (0, -4)
(b)Focus at (3, 1) and directrix y = -2
(c) Vertex at (3, -2), passing through (1, 2), and with a horizontal
axis.
(d)Endpoints of the latus rectum at (-2, 3) and (4, 3), and opens
upward.
4. Reduce the given equation to standard form. Find the
coordinates of the vertex, focus, and endpoints of the latus
rectum. Also find the equation of the directrix. Then sketch the
parabola.
(a)
(b)