Parabolas

A parabola is the set of all points in a plane that are equidistant from a fixed
line called the directrix, and a fixed point not on the line called the focus.

Vertical Parabolas (x2)

yk=

1
( xh )2
4c

Horizontal Parabola (y2)

xh=

1
( yk )2
4c

Vertical Parabolas

Example 1: Sketch each vertical parabola

a:

1 2
x
8

opens ________

vertex __________
c = __________
focus __________
directrix __________

y2

1
x 3 2
4

b:
opens _________

vertex __________
c = __________
focus __________
directrix __________
1
x 4 2
y6
12
c:
opens ___________
vertex __________
c = __________
focus __________
directrix __________

Horizontal Parabolas

Example 2: Sketch each horizontal parabola

1 2
y
8
a.
opens _________
vertex __________
x

c = __________
focus __________
directrix __________

b.

x2

1
y 3 2
4

opens _________

vertex __________
c = __________
focus __________
directrix __________

c.

x 1

1
y 2 2
12

opens ________

vertex __________
c = __________
focus __________
directrix __________

Writing Equations of Parabolas

Example 3: Write an equation of a parabola with vertex at the
origin and the focus at (0, -1). Sketch the parabola.

Example 4: Write an equation of the parabola with vertex at the

origin and directrix x = -2. Sketch the graph.

General Conic Form

The general form of the equation of a conic is

Ax + By + Cx + Dy + E = 0
For a parabola A = 0 or B = 0 (i. e. there is only one squared term).
To convert from general form to standard form, you must
complete the square.
Example 5:
Rewrite in completed Square Form and identify the
vertex of the parabola
a) y = x2 + 5x 5

b) y = x2 + 8x + 16

c) 4x2 16x - 40

General Conic Form

Example 6: Convert each equation into standard form by

completing the square and then sketch
a) x + 8y + 4x - 4 = 0
b) y - 8x - 6y - 7 = 0

c) y - 8y + 12x - 20 = 0

d) x - 6x - 4y + 5 = 0

Writing Equations of Parabolas

Example 7: Identify the vertex, focus, and directrix of

y = x2 6x + 10. Then sketch the graph.

Example 8: Use the graph below to find the standard form of the
equation for the parabola

Writing Equations of Parabolas

Example 9: Write the equation for a parabola with a focus at

(1, 0) and a directrix of y = -4 and sketch.

Example 10: Write the equation of the parabola that has a

focus of (-2, -4) and directrix of x = -6

More Writing Equations of Parabolas

Example 11: Use the graph to identify the focus, directrix,

vertex, and then write the equation in standard form.

Vertex: _______________
Focus: ________________
Directrix:

___________________

Standard Form: ______________________

Working Backwards From a Table

Example 12: Use the information in the table to sketch the

parabola and complete the chart.