Parabola

Definition
 For a parabola, eccentricity = 1 and the focus does not lie
on the directrix
 If e = 1, there are two cases:

Pair of straight lines (focus lies on directrix)

Parabola (focus does not lie on directrix)s

 Diagram
 This is how a parabola looks like:

Since e = 1:

P1 S = P 1 L

P2 S = P 2 L

A parabola is equidistant from a

fixed point ‘S’ and a line
 Axis of Parabola
 It is a line passing through focus, which is perpendicular
to directrix
 It is the line of symmetry for the
parabola
 Axis and parabola meet at Vertex

 Foot of directrix is the point at which the axis meets

directrix
 Chords
 Chords perpendicular to axis are called double ordinates

 If AB ⊥ Axis:

AB is the double ordinate

 Chord through focus is focal chord

CD is a focal chord
 Latus Rectum
 The double ordinate that passes through the focus is
called the latus rectum
 There is only one latus rectum for
a parabola
 C, D are the ends of latus rectum

 Two parabola are said to be equal

if length of their LR is same
 Example
 A variable circle always passes through (1,0) and touches the line y = x.
Find the locus of its centre

Let the centre be (h,k)

 (h–1)2 + (k–0)2 = radius2

Radius ‘r’ = Distance of (h,k) from line y = x

 r = (h–k)/√2

Therefore, (h–1)2 + k2 = [(h–k)/√2]2

Solving, 2(x–1)2 + 2y2 = (x–y)2

 Standard Equation of
Parabola
 We have taken the directrix: x+a = 0, and focus is S(a,0)

Also, a > 0

For a parabola: PS = PL

 (x–a)2+y2 = |x+a|2

 x2+a2–2ax+y2 = x2+a2+2ax

 y2 = 4ax
 Different Parabola
 We shall now have a look at 3 parabolas

1. y2 = 4ax

2. x2 = 4by

3. (y–k)2 = 4a(x–h)

Parabolas of the form y2 = 4ax are open sidewards, and of

the form x2 = 4by are open upward or downward
 Parabola 1: Y = 4aX 2

 For the parabola y2 = 4ax

Focus is (a,0)

Directrix is x+a = 0

Axis is X-axis (i.e., y = 0)

Vertex is Origin (0,0)

Foot of directrix is (–a,0)

 Parabola 1: Y = 4aX 2

 The latus rectum has midpoint S(a,0)

 Equation of Latus Rectum: x = a

 Since C and D satisfy y2 = 4ax,

C is (a,2a) and D is (a,–2a)
 Length of LR = 4a
 Parabola 2: x = 4by 2

 The focus will be S(0,b) and directrix y = –b

 Axis is Y-axis, x = 0

 Vertex is again Origin (0,0)

 LR: y = b

 C is (–2b,b) and D is (2b,b)

 Length of LR = 4b
 Example
 Let O be the vertex and Q be any point on the parabola x2 = 8y.
If the point P divides OQ internally 1:3,
what is the locus of P?

We can consider Q as (4t,2t2)

Since (4t,2t2) satisfies x2 = 8y

Using section formula:

h = (1*4t+3*0)/4; k = (1*2t2+3*0)/4
 Example contd.
Solving, h = t and 2k = t2

 h2 = t2

 h2 = 2k

Locus is:

x2 = 2y
 Parabola 3: (y–k) = 4a(x–h) 2

 We change this into y2 = 4ax form by shifting the vertex,

which is (0,0) for y2 = 4ax to (h,k)

For replacing points to change the

equation to Y2 = 4aX form:

We do NOT subtract (h ,k)

from original x and y coordinates
of points on parabola
 Parabola 3: (y–k) = 4a(x–h) 2

 Focus is now at S(a+h,k)

 Axis is y = k

 Latus Rectum (CD): x = a+h

 Parabola 3: (y–k) = 4a(x–h) 2

 Let a point on parabola P be (m,n)

Since we replace all original (xO,yO) with (x–h,y–k), where x

and y are the coordinates that will satisfy y2 = 4ax.

So, (x–h,y–k) is (m,n)

 New coordinates of P (x,y) would be (m+h,n+k)

So, we add (h,k) to initial x and y coordinates of P and put in

the equation Y2 = 4aX.
 Parabola 3: (y–k) = 4a(x–h) 2

 We add (h,k) to points on Parabola, and replace x,y with x–

h and y–k
 We shall now find the different parts of Parabola:

 Directrix [x = –a for y2 = 4ax ] will be x = h–a

 Vertex [(0,0) for y2 = 4ax] will be at (h,k)

 Axis [y = 0 for y2 = 4ax] will be y–k = 0

 Latus Rectum [x = a for y2 = 4ax] will be x–h = a

 Example
 Find the equation of the directrix of the parabola
y2+4y+4x+2 = 0.

We can write y2+4y+4x+2 = 0 as:

(y+2)2 = –4x+2

 (y+2)2 = –4(x – ½)

Replace y with y+2, and x with x – ½ to get Y2 = –4X

 Example contd.
 The parabola is Y2 = –4X

The directrix for this is X = 1

So, x–1/2 = 1

 x = 3/2 is the equation of the directrix

 Example
 Find the line about which the parabola y = x2/2 + x + 1 is
symmetrical.

A parabola is symmetrical about its axis

So, let’s find the axis of this parabola

This parabola can be written as y – 3/2 = (–1/2)(x–1)2

The axis of this parabola is x = 1

Therefore, it is symmetrical about the line x = 1

 Y
Y
C Q(4t,2t2)

Axis: y=k S(a+h,k) P(h,k)

V’ X
O(0,0)
(h,k)
D
Vertex X
(0,0)