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Understanding Parabolas: Definitions & Examples

This document discusses parabolas and provides examples of how to determine their key properties and equations from given information. A parabola is defined as the set of points equidistant from a fixed line called the directrix and a fixed point called the focus. The axis of symmetry passes through the focus perpendicular to the directrix, and the vertex is the midpoint between the focus and directrix on the axis of symmetry. Standard equations are provided for vertical and horizontal parabolas with the vertex at the origin, along with their axis of symmetry, vertex, focus, and directrix. Examples are then given of determining these properties and writing equations for parabolas in various forms and positions.

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mohammed ali
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58 views2 pages

Understanding Parabolas: Definitions & Examples

This document discusses parabolas and provides examples of how to determine their key properties and equations from given information. A parabola is defined as the set of points equidistant from a fixed line called the directrix and a fixed point called the focus. The axis of symmetry passes through the focus perpendicular to the directrix, and the vertex is the midpoint between the focus and directrix on the axis of symmetry. Standard equations are provided for vertical and horizontal parabolas with the vertex at the origin, along with their axis of symmetry, vertex, focus, and directrix. Examples are then given of determining these properties and writing equations for parabolas in various forms and positions.

Uploaded by

mohammed ali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

10.1 Parabolas M. R.

Abujiya

10.1: PARABOLAS

I. Definitions

A parabola is the set of points in the plane that are equidistant


from a fixed line (the directrix) and a fixed point (the focus)
not on the directrix.

The line that passes through the focus and is perpendicular to


the directrix is called the axis of symmetry of the parabola. The
midpoint of the line segment between the focus and directrix on
the axis of symmetry is the vertex of the parabola.

II. Parabola with Vertex at (0, 0)

Vertical Parabola Horizontal Parabola


(Axis of symmetry is the y-axis) (Axis of symmetry is the x-axis)
Graph:

Standard equation: x 2 = 4 py y 2 = 4 px

Axis of symmetry: y-axis (i.e. x = 0 ) x-axis (i.e. y = 0 )

Vertex: ( 0, 0 ) ( 0, 0 )
Focus: ( 0, p ) ( p, 0 )
Directrix: y = p x = p

If p > 0: parabola opens up parabola opens right

If p < 0: parabola opens down parabola opens left

Distance: d ( P, F ) = d ( P, D )

1
10.1 Parabolas M. R. Abujiya

1
Example 1: Find the axis of symmetry, vertex, focus, and directrix of the parabolas y = x 2 and
2
x = 4 y . Also graph each.
2

Example 2: Find the equation of the parabola in standard form with vertex at origin and focus at
(a) ( 2, 0 ) (b) ( 0, 4 ) (c) ( 3, 0 ) (d) ( 0,1)

III. Parabola with Vertex at (h, k)

Vertical Parabola Horizontal Parabola


(Axis of sym is parallel to y-axis) (Axis of sym is parallel to x-axis)
( x h) = 4p( y k) ( y k) = 4 p ( x h)
2 2
Standard equation:
Axis of symmetry: x=h y=k
Vertex: ( h, k ) ( h, k )
Focus: ( h, k + p ) ( h + p, k )
Directrix: y=kp x = h p
If p > 0: parabola opens up parabola opens right
If p < 0: parabola opens down parabola opens left
Distance: d ( P, F ) = d ( P, D )

Example 3: Find the axis of symmetry, vertex, focus, and equation of directrix of the parabolas given
below. Also graph each equation.

(a) 2 ( x 2 ) = 4 y + 5
2
(b) 12 x + y 2 8 y + 40 = 0

Example 4: Find the equation in standard form of the parabola with the following information
(a) focus at ( 3, 2 ) and directrix x = 1 (b) focus at (1, 5 ) and directrix y = 3

Example 5: Find the equation of the parabola having the vertex ( 4,1) , axis of symmetry parallel to

x axis and passing through the point ( 2, 2 ) .

Example 6: If the distance between the center of the circle x 2 + y 2 2 y = 5 and vertex of the parabola

x = 5 y 2 + m is 10 . Find the value of m.

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