PARABOLA

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students are able to :
1. Define a parabola;
2. Determine the standard form of equation of a parabola;
3. Graph a parabola in a rectangle coordinate system; and
4. Solve problems involving parabola.

Definitions
A parabola is the set of points that are equidistant from a fixed point and a fixed line

PARTS OF A PARABOLA

Focus
The fixed point (Point F)

Directrix
The fixed line

Axis of symmetry/Axis of parabola

The line perpendicular to the directrix

Vertex
Midway between the Focus and the Directrix
Latus Rectum
The chord through the focus and parallel to the directrix

Standard Equation of the Parabola

Equation Vertex Focus Directrix Axis of
Symmetry
2 V(0,0) F(0,a) y=–a y - axis
x =4ay
(opens upward)
2 V(0,0) F(0,–a) y=a y - axis
x =−4ay
(opens downward)
2 V(0,0) F(a,0) x = –a x - axis
y =4 ax
(opens to the right)
2 V(0,0) F(–a,0) x=a x - axis
y =−4 ax
(opens to the left)
( x−h )2 =4 a ( y−k ) V(h,k) F(h, k+a) y=k–a x=h
(opens upward)
( x−h )2 =−4 a ( y−k ) V(h,k) F(h, k–a) y=k+a x=–h
(opens downward)
( y−k )2=4 a ( x−h ) V(h,k) F(h+a, k) x=h–a y=k
(opens to the right)
( y−k )2=−4 a ( x−h ) V(h,k) F(h–a, k) x=h+a y=–k
(opens to the left)

Illustration:
EXAMPLE 1
Sketch the graph of y 2=16 x and identify the vertex, directrix, focus and latus rectum

SOLUTION:
Since y 2=16 x is in the form y 2=4 ax , the parabola is at vertex (0,0) and opens to the right. Solving for
the value of a we get 16=4 a or a=4 . The focus is at (a , 0 ) or (4, 0) and the directrix is x = −a or x = -
4. The latus rectum is LR =4 a or LR=4 (4) , hence LR =16

Vertex (0, 0)
Focus (4, 0)
Directrix x = -4
Latus rectum LR = 16 ends at L(4, 8) R(4, -8)

Graph
EXAMPLE 2
Find the equation of the parabola with vertex at the origin, axis on the y-axis and passing through the
point (-4, 4). Sketch the graph

SOLUTION:
Since the vertex is at the origin at passing through (-4, 4), the parabola opens upward. Hence the equation
of the parabola will be x 2=4 ay .

Since (-4, 4) is on the parabola, then its coordinates will satisfy the equation above, that is

(−42 ) =4 a(4)
or a=1
Therefore, the equation of the parabola is x 2=4 ( 1 ) y or x 2=4 y . The focus is at (0, 1) and the
directrix is at y = -1. The Latus Rectum is (4)(1) or 4 at (2, 1) and (-2, 1)

Vertex (0, 0)
Focus (0, 1)
Directrix y = -1
Latus rectum LR = 4 ends at L(2, 1) R(-2, 1)

Graph
EXAMPLE 3
Sketch the graph of ( y−3 )2=6(x + 4)

SOLUTION:
Since the equation is in the form ( y−k )2=4 a( x −h), the vertex is at (-4, 3) and opens to the right. And
since 4 a=6, then a=1.5. Hence the focus is at (-2.5, 3) and the directrix is at x = -5.5. The Latus
Rectum is 4(1.5) or 6 at (-2.5, 6) and (-2.5, 0)

Vertex (-4, 3)
Focus (-2.5, 3)
Directrix x = -5.5
Latus rectum LR = 6 ends at L(-2.5, 6) R(-2.5, 0)

Graph
EXAMPLE 4
Find the equation of the parabola with vertex at V (2, 5) and focus at F (2, 3). Sketch the graph

SOLUTION:
From the coordinates of V and F, we recognize that the parabola is facing downwards. Hence, its
equation should be in the form ( x−h )2=−4 a( y −k ). Since the vertex is V (2, 5), then h = 2 and
k = 5. Also since a=VF , then a=(5−3) = 2. Substituting the values of h, k, and a in the
equation, we get

( x−2 )2=−4 (2)( y −5)

or ( x−2 )2=−8( y−k )

The latus rectum is 4(2) or 8 and the ends of the latus rectum are L (-2, 3) and R (6, 3)

Vertex (2, 2)
Focus (2, 3)
Directrix y = 7
Latus rectum LR = 8 ends at L(-2, 3) R(6, 3)

Graph
EXAMPLE 5
The towers of a parabolic suspension bridge 300 meters apart are 60 meters high and the lowest
point of the cable is 20 meters above the roadway. Find the vertical distance from the roadway to
the cable at 100 meters from the center

SOLUTION:

Consider the point V as the vertex of the parabola. In this case, the parabola opens upward, hence
its equation will be x 2=4 ay . Since the distance from the vertex to the end of the suspension
bridge is 150 meters, we can set the x-coordinate of our parabola as 150 and since the height of
the tower from the vertex of the parabola is 60 meters less 40 meters, or simply equal to 40
meters, we can set the y-coordinate of our parabola as 40. Substituting x = 150 and y = 40 to the
equation of the parabola we get,
2
150 =4 a (40)
or a=140.625

and since we are looking for the height of the cable 100 meters away from the center, we will
substitute x = 100 and a = 140.625 to get the value of y. We get

1002=4( 140.625)( y )
or y = 17.78 meters.

But 17.78 meters is not our final answer because we are looking for the height of the cable from
the roadway. Hence we should add the 20 meter height of the lowest point of the cable to the
roadway and 17.78 meter height of the cable 100 meters away from the center of the bridge. We
get,

H = 17.78m + 20m
H = 37.78 m
ACTIVITY 5
PROBLEM SOLVING:

Solve what is being asked in the problem (5 points each)

1. A parabolic arch has a span of 20 meters and height of 10 meters. How high is
the arch 4 meters from the center of the span?

2. A satellite dish has a shape called a paraboloid, where each cross – section is a
parabola. Since radio signals (parallel to the axis) will bounce off the surface of the
dish to the focus, the receiver should be placed at the focus. How far should the
receiver be from the vertex, if the dish is 18 feet across, and 4 feet at the vertex?

3. A window has the shape of a parabola with vertex at the top and axis vertical. It
is 2 meters wide at the base and 4 meters high. How wide is it half-way?

4. A chord passing through the focus of x 2=8 y has one end at point (-8, 8).
Determine the other end point of the chord.

5. Give the standard equation of a parabola with vertex (-2, 5) and equation of the
directrix x +4=0

6. Find the equation of a parabola with vertex at (0, 0) , axis on the x-axis and its
latus rectum the diameter of the circle x 2+ y 2−4 x −12=0
Answer Sheet: