The Parabola  The line segment that intersects the parabola through the focus is
called the latus rectum. It is always perpendicular to the axis of
Specific Learning Outcomes:
1. Define a parabola;
2. Determine the standard form and general form of the equation of a
parabola;
3. Graph a parabola
Introduction
The distinct characteristics of the equation of a parabola is that it has one
quadratic variable. This gives the parabola properties that are very different
from that of circles and ellipses. Our past knowledge of quadratic functions
will be of great help in this lesson.
Definition
A parabola is an open curve defined as the set of all points, each of which is
equidistant from a fixed point known as the focus F and a fixed line known as
the directrix.
 The vertex V of a parabola is the turning points of the curve and is
collinear with the focus F. The line that connects the vertex an the
focus is the axis of symmetry of the parabola.
 The standard form of a parabola with vertex at (ℎ, 𝑘 ) is given by
(𝑦 − 𝑘 )2 = 4𝑎 (𝑥 − ℎ), if the parabola opens to the left or to the right;
or
(𝑥 − ℎ)2 = 4𝑎 (𝑦 − 𝑘 ), if the parabola opens upwards or downwards,
where 𝑎 ≠ 0.
symmetry and parallel to the directrix.
 The constant 4𝑎 is the total length of the latus rectum. The focus and
the vertex are 𝑎 units apart, and the vertex and the directrix are also 𝑎
units apart.
Let us first move the vertex of the parabola to the origin. This will
reduce the standard form into
𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥, if the parabola opens to the or to the right; or
𝑥 2 = 4𝑎𝑦, 𝑖𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑎 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑.
From here, we discuss the case separately.
Case 1: 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥
From the origin, move 𝑎 units to the right if 4𝑎 is positive. This will
give you (𝑎, 0) as the focus. Draw the latus rectum, a vertical segment
of length 4𝑎 units., with the focus as its midpoints. Amrk the
endpoints of the latus rectum
Case 2: x² = 4ay
From the origin, move a units upward if 4a
is positive. This will give you (0, a) as the focus.
The latus rectum will now be a horizontal segment
of length 4a units with the focus as its midpoint.
Mark the endpoints of the latus rectum whose
coordinates are (2a, a) and ( ̶ 2a, a). Again, connect
the vertex to each of the endpoints by a smooth
curve that extends upwards. See the illustration on
the right.
 Axis of symmetry: y = 0
If 4a is negative, the focus will be at (0, ̶ a) instead. Can you Parabola Vertex is (0, 0).
determine the coordinates of the endpoints of the latus rectum? Draw the with V(0, 0), Focus is (0, a).
parabola. Vertical axis x² = 4ay Directirx is the line y = -a.
of symmetry Endpoints of the latus rectum
Try to determine the coordinates of the focus and endpoints of the
latus rectum if the vertex is moved back to (h, k) for Case 1. If we move the ELR₁: (2a, a)
vertex back to point ELR₂: ( ̶ 2a, a)
(h, k) for Case 2, the coordinates of the focus and endpoints of the latus Axis of symmetry: x = 0
rectum, as well as the graph, are shown below. Parabola Vertex is (h, k).
with V(h, k), Focus is (h + a, k).
Vertical axis (y – k)² = 4a(x – h) Directrix is the line x = h – a.
of symmetry Endpoints of the latus rectum
ELR₁: (h + a, k + 2a)
ELR₂: (h + a, k - 2a)
Axis of symmetry: y = k

Parabola Vertex is (h, k).

with V(h, k), Focus is (h, k + a).
Vertical axis (x – h)² = 4a(y – k) Directrix is the line y = k – a.
of symmetry Endpoints of the latus rectum
ELR₁: (h + 2a, k + a)
ELR₂: (h - 2a, k + a)
Axis of symmetry: x = h

Different Cases of the Equation of a Parabola

Let us now try graphing parabolas given their standard form.
Case Equation Points and Lines Graph
Vertex is (0, 0). Example 1
Parabola Focus is (a, 0).
With V(0, 0), y² = 4ax Directix is the line x = ̶ a. Graph the parabola y² = 8x.
horizontal Endpoints of the latus rectum
axis of ELR₁: (a, 2a) Solution:
symmetry ELR₂ : (a, ̶ 2a)
 Since y² = 8x is of the form y² = 4ax, the vertex is at the The directorix is at the line y = 3.
origin. This means that 8 = 4a, which gives us a = 2
Since a is negative, the parabola opens downward.
Hence, we have the following: The length of the atus rectum is |4a| = |4(-3)| = |-12| = 12.
 The vertex is at (0, 0). The endpoints of the latus rectum are (-6, -3) and (6, -3).
 The directorix is the line x = -2
 The length of the latus rectum is 4ax = 8.
 The focus F is at (2, 0) since the value of 4ax is positive.
 The endpoints of the ends of the latus rectum are (2, 4)
and (2, -4).

Thus, the graph is as follows:

Example 2 Example 3

Draw the graph of x² + 12y = 0. Sketch the graph of (y – 4)² = 12(x +3).

Solution: Solution:

Rewrite the equation into x² = 12y, where 4a = 12 or a = -3. Vertex is V (-3, 4).
The vertex is at (0, 0), while the focus is at (0. -3). Directrix is at the line x = -6.
 We see that 4a = 12. Hence, a = 3. Draw the graph of y² + 4y + 16x + 20 = 0.
The focus is given by F(h + a, k) = F(-3, +3, 4) = F(0,4).
The endpoints of the latus rectum are. Solution:
(h + a, k + 2a) = (3 – 3, 4 + 6) = (0, 10)
and (h + a, k - 2a) = (3 – 3, 4 -6) = (0, -2). Transform the equation into standard form by completing the
square.

Plot the points in a Cartesian coordinate plane. Connect the endpoints of the latus
rectum to the vertex. Extend the graph smoothly beyond the endpoints of the latus 4 2 4 2
y 2 + 4𝑦 + ( ) = −16𝑥 − 20 + ( )
rectum as shown below. 2 2

y 2 + 4𝑦 + 4 = −16𝑥 − 20 + 4

(y + 2)2 = −16𝑥 − 16

(y + 2)2 = −16(𝑥 + 1)

We see that (y + 2)² = -16(x + 1) is a parabola that opens to the left since 4a
= -16.
The vertex is V(-1, -2).
The directrix is at the line x = 3.
We have 4a = -16. This gives us a = 4 and 2a = -8.
The focus F(h + a, k) = (-1 + (-4), -2) = F(-5, -2).
The endpoints of the latus rectum are (h + a, k + 2a) = (-1 + (-4), -2 + -8) = (-
5, -10)
and (h + a, k - 2a) = (-1 + (-4), -2 – (-8)) = (-5,6).

The graph of (y + 2)² = -16(x + 1) is shown below.

 The Hyperbola
Learning Outcomes
The standard form of a hyperbola with center at (h, k) is
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
 Define a Hyperbola; (𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2 (𝑥−ℎ)2
 Determine the standard form and general form of the equation of a − = 1 𝑜𝑟 − = 1.
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑎2
Hyperbola; and
Similar to the turning point of a parabola, a hyperbola has two vertices V that
 Graph a Hyperbola
are a units away from the center. Each of the foci F is c units away from the
center, where the value of c is given by the equation.
c² = a² + b²
Introduction
A hyperbola has two lines of symmetry. The transverse axis contains the
It has been proven that cooling towers with a hyperbolic (or hyperboloid)
two vertices and the two foci and is parallel to the axis f the positive variable.
shape can withstand high winds because of their structural strength. Other advantages
The conjugate axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis and contains the
of this design include its efficiency in accelerating airflow and capability to minimize
two imaginary vertices V’ of the hyperbola.
the cost of materials, as this shape requires less construction materials to build. In this
The diagonal of the central rectangle are the asymptotes of the hyperbola.
lesson, we will study the conic section known as the Hyperbola, its equation, and its
graph. Many things have to be considered when graphing a hyperbola. To simplify
things, we must first move the center of the hyperbola to the origin. This will
Definition
reduce the standard form to
 A hyperbola is a pair open curves defined as the set of all points such as that
the difference of the distances of each point in the set from two fixed points, 𝑥2 𝑦2
− = 1 if the transverse axis is horizontal; and
known as the foci, is constant. 𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑦2 𝑥2
− = 1 if the transverse axis is vertical.
𝑎2 𝑏2

Notice how the choice of positive terms affects the direction of the transverse
axis. From here, we discuss the graphs of the two case separately.

𝑥2 𝑦2
Case 1: − 2=1
𝑎2 𝑏
From the origin, plot the points (a, 0), (-a, 0), (0, b), and (0, -b).
 Draw vertical lines through (a, 0) and (a, 0). Then, draw horizontal 𝑥2 𝑦2
lines through (0, b) and (0, -b). Then pair of horizontal lines will form the − =1
36 16
central rectangle.
𝑥2 𝑦2
− =1
Draw the diagonals of the central rectangle and extend them outside 62 42
the rectangle.
Since the transverse axis is horizontal, (a, 0) and (-a, 0) will be the
vertices of the hyperbola.
The imaginary vertices are the points (0, b) and (0, -b).
From each of the vertices, draw a smooth curve similar to a parabola. Step 1. Identify the values of a and b. From the standard form, we see that a = 6
The only difference is that the curves of the hyperbola should approach the and b = 4.
extended diagonals of the rectangle as their asymptotes.
Plot the points (6, 0), (-6. 0), (0, 4) and (0, -4).

𝑦2 𝑥2
Case 2: − =1 Step 2: Draw the central rectangle. It is advisable to trace it using broken lines since
𝑎2 𝑏2
it is
not part of the actual curve.
The only difference this has from the first case is that the vertices are (0, a) and
(0, -a). This is because the transverse axis is now vertical. This also means that
(b, 0) and (-b, 0) are the imaginary vertices. Step 3: Trace the diagonals of the rectangle and extend them outside the rectangle.
Let us now graph some hyperbolas given their equations. Step 4: Since the positive variable is x, the transverse axis is horizontal. This makes
Exercise 1 (6, 0) and (-6, 0) the vertices.
Graph the equation 16x² - 36y² - 576 = 0 Step 5: Through (6, 0), carefully draw a smooth curve that opens to the right. The
ends
Solution: of the curve must approach the diagonals of the rectangle but not intersect it.
Draw a similar curve that opens to the left through(-6, 0).
Transform the equation into its standard form.
16x² - 36y² = 576
Example 2
16𝑥² − 36𝑦² 576
=
576 576
Graph the equation 64x² - 25y² + 1,600 = 0
 a similar curve that opens downwards through (0, -8).
Solution:
Suppose we change the center of the hyperbola back to (h, k). Can you still
Transform the equation into its standard form. determine the vertices? Can you trace the central rectangle and draw the curves of the
hyperbola? The graphs of hyperbolas with a horizontal and a vertical transverse axis
64𝑥 2 − 25𝑦 2 = −1,600 and a center of (h, k) are given below.
64𝑥2 − 25𝑦2 −1,600
=
−1,600 −1,600
𝑦2 𝑥2
− =1
64 25
𝑦2 𝑥2
− =1
82 52

Now let us graph hyperbolas with centers on (h, k).

Step 1: Identify the values of a and b.
From the standard form, we see that a = 8 and b = 5 Example 3

Solution:
Plot the points (5, 0), (-5, 0), (0, 8) and (0, -8).
Determine the standard form of the curve by completing the square.
Step 2: Draw the central rectangle. It is advisable to trace it using
broken lines since it is not part of the actual curve. (36𝑥 2 − 360𝑥 + _____) − (49𝑦 2 − 392𝑦 + ____) = 1,648
Step 3: Trace the diagonals of the rectangle and extend them outside 36(𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + _____) − 49(𝑦 2 − 8𝑦 + ____) = 1,648
the rectangle.
Step 4: Since the positive variable is y, the transverse axis is vertical.
36(𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25) − 49(𝑦 2 − 8𝑦 + 16) = 1,648 + 36(25) + (−49)(16)
This makes (0, 8) and (0, -8) the vertices.
36(𝑥 − 5)2 − 49(𝑦 − 4)2 = 1,764
Step 5: Through (0, 8), carefully draw a smooth curve that opens upwards. The ends
of 36(𝑥 − 5)2 − 49(𝑦 − 4)2 1,764
=
the curve must approach the diagonals of the rectangle but not intersect it. 1,764 1,764
Draw
 (𝑥 − 5)2 (𝑦 − 4)2
− =1
49 36
(𝑥 − 5)2 (𝑦 − 4)2
− =1
72 62
Step 1: Plot the center at (5, 4). Identify the values of a and b . From the standard

form, a = 7 and b = 6

Plot the following points: (h ± a, k) = (12, 4), (-2, 4)

(h, k ± b) (5, 10), (5, -2)

Step 2: Draw the central rectangle using the four points in Step 1. It is advisable to
trace

it using broken lines since it is not part of the actual curve.

Step 3: Trace the diagonals of the rectangle and extend them outside the rectangle.

Step 4: Since the positive variable is x, the transverse axis is horizontal. This makes

(12, 4) and (-2, 4).

Step 5: Through (12, 4), carefully draw a smooth curve that opens to the right. The
ends

of the curve must approach the diagonals of the rectangle but not intersect it.

Draw a similar curve that opens to the left through (-2, 4).

The graph of the given hyperbola should look like the one given below.