Subject Code Math 5 Differential Calculus

Module Code 1.0 Conic Sections

Lesson Code 1.1.3 Parabola (Session 3 of 3)
Time Frame 30 minutes

Component Tasks TAa ATAb

Target By the end of this session, the students should be able to 1
1. Identify the parts and features of a parabola (vertex not at the min
origin)
2. See the parabola as a conic section;
3. Give the eccentricity of a parabola.

Hook For this session, we will use the strategy of completing the square. 1
Let’s have a quick review. min

Example What term must be added to the following to produce a

perfect square trinomial? Factor the resulting trinomial.
a. 𝑥 ! + 8𝑥
b. 𝑦 ! − 6𝑦
Solution To get the third term needed to make 𝑥 ! + 𝑏𝑥 a perfect
"
square trinomial, take ! 𝑏 and square the result.
a. The needed third term is 16 and 𝑥 ! + 8𝑥+16 = (𝑥 + 4)!
a. The needed third term is 9 and 𝑦 ! − 6𝑦 + 9 = (𝑦 − 3)! .

Ignite Removing parenthesis in (𝑥 − ℎ)! = 4𝑝(𝑦 − 𝑘), we get 5

𝑥 ! − 2ℎ𝑥 + ℎ! = 4𝑝𝑦 − 4𝑝𝑘. mins
Isolating 𝑦, we have
4𝑝𝑦 = 𝑥 ! − 2ℎ𝑥 + ℎ! + 4𝑝𝑘
𝟏 ! 𝒉 𝒉𝟐
𝑦= 𝑥 − 𝑥+ +𝒌
𝟒𝒑 𝟐𝒑 𝟒𝒑
𝟏 𝒉 𝒉𝟐
Renaming coefficients so that 𝑎 = 𝟒𝒑 , 𝑏 = − 𝟐𝒑 and 𝑐 = 𝟒𝒑 + 𝒌,
we get
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 ! + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐.

Therefore, as long as 𝑎 ≠ 0, the quadratic equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 ! +

𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 has a graph that is a parabola whose axis is vertical. If 𝑎 >
0, then 𝑝 > 0 and the parabola opens up. If 𝑎 < 0, then 𝑝 < 0
and the parabola opens down. This justify the generalization that
the graph of the quadratic function 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 ! + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, 𝑎 ≠ 0 is a
parabola.

Similarly, as long as 𝑎 ≠ 0, the quadratic equation 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑦 ! +

𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 has a graph that is a parabola whose axis is horizontal. If
𝑎 > 0, the parabola opens to the right. If 𝑎 < 0, the parabola
opens to the left.

Example From the discussion above, we know that the graph of

8𝑦 = 𝑥 ! + 4𝑥 + 36 is a parabola. Identify the orientation, the
vertex, focus, directrix, axis of symmetry, and the length and
endpoints of the latus rectum.

Math 5 | Page 1 of 4
 Solution We transform the given equation in the standard form
using the completing of squares method. Once in the standard
form, we can inspect the equation to figure out the required parts
and features of the given parabola.
8𝑦 − 36 = 𝑥 ! + 4𝑥
8𝑦 − 36 + 𝟒 = 𝑥 ! + 4𝑥 + 𝟒
8(𝑦 − 4) = (𝑥 + 2)!
1. This opens upward.
2. The vertex is (−2,4).
Since 4𝑝 = 8, 𝑝 = 2. Thus,
3. The focus is (−2,6).
4. The directrix is 𝑦 = 2.
5. The axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = −2.
6. The length of the latus rectum is 8 units. Its endpoints are
(2, 6) and (−6, 6).

Navigate Exercises Answer the following to gain ownership of what has 5

been covered up to this point of the session. Check your answers mins
using the given answers in the knot part.
1. Identify the equation (in standard form) of the parabola with
focus at (−1,1) and directrix 𝑦 = −5. Sketch the graph and
give the vertex, axis of symmetry, and the length and
endpoints of the latus rectum this parabola.
2. Identify the orientation, directrix, vertex, focus, axis of
symmetry, and length and endpoints of the latus rectum of the
parabola whose equation is 4𝑥 + 20 + 𝑦 ! = 8𝑦.

Ignite Begin with a line 𝑚 intersecting a line 𝑙 at point 𝑉. Suppose 3

that they intersect at a certain angle 𝜃. Rotating the line 𝑚 around mins
𝑙 while hold the line 𝑙, the point of intersection at V and the angle
𝜃 fixed, will produce a surface that is a cone with two nappes both
extending indefinitely far. See Figure 5 below. The line 𝑙 is a
called the axis of the cone; the point 𝑉 is the vertex of the cone.
Any line lying on the cone is called a generator (or element) of
the cone. In particular, 𝑚 is one of the generators.

axis

nappe

𝑉, vertex

nappe

generator

Figure 5

If we let a plane cut the cone, we get all sort of cross-sections

called conic sections or conics. See Figure 6. When the
intersecting plane is parallel to a generator of the cone, we get a
parabola. When the intersecting plane is parallel to no generator,

Math 5 | Page 2 of 4
 the result is an ellipse. Finally, when the intersecting plane
intersects both nappes of a cone and is parallel to two generators,
the conic section obtained is a hyperbola. It can be proven using
Dandelin spheres that the definitions of the parabola, ellipse and
hyperbola as a set of points in a plane is consistent with their
definitions as a conic section.*

A number 𝑒, called eccentricity, can be attached to any conic

section. This number will be defined separately for each conic
section as we discuss each of them. Loosely, eccentricity gives a
sort of indication of how much a conic section varies from being
circular. A circle has 𝑒 = 0. As 𝑒 increases, the conic section
becomes more “un-circular”. For an ellipse, 0 < 𝑒 < 1; a
parabola has 𝑒 = 1; and for hyperbolas, 𝑒 > 1.

Figure 6
(Image from OpenStax, Calculus Volume 3. OpenStax. 30 March 2016.
http://cnx.org/content/col11966/latest/ )

Knot In this lesson, we established that indeed the graph of a 15

quadratic function with equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 ! + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, 𝑎 ≠ 0 is a mins
parabola that opens up if 𝑎 > 0 or down if 𝑎 < 0. On the other
hand, the graph of the relation 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑦 ! + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐, 𝑎 ≠ 0 is a
parabola that opens to the right if 𝑎 > 0 and to the left if 𝑎 < 0.
A parabola is also a conic section with eccentricity 𝑒 = 1.

Answers to Exercises
1.
(𝑥 + 1)! = 12(𝑦 + 2)
vertex: (−1, −2)
axis of symmetry: 𝑥 = −1
length of latus rectum:
12 units
endpoints of latus rectum:
(−7,1) and (5,1)

2. 4𝑥 + 20 + 𝑦 ! = 8𝑦 ⟺ (𝑦 − 4)! = −4(𝑥 + 1)
opens to the left
directrix : 𝑥 = 0
vertex: (−1,4); focus: (−2,4)
axis of symmetry: 𝑦 = 4
length of latus rectum: 4 units
endpoints of latus rectum: (−2,6) and (−2,2)

Math 5 | Page 3 of 4
 GRADED ASSESSMENT (Quiz)
1. Sketch the graph of the parabola (𝑦 − 3)! = 𝑥 − 2 and then
use this to sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 3 + √𝑥 − 2 and 𝑦 = 3 −
√𝑥 − 2 on separate Cartesian coordinate systems.
2. Give the vertex of the parabola whose focus is (−5,8) and
whose directrix is 𝑥 = 3.
3. Give the focus of the parabola 𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 21 = 0.
4. The latus rectum of a parabola with focus at the (−2,3) is 20
units. If the parabola opens upward, what is an equation (in
standard form) for the parabola?
5. (Level 1 Only) Give an equation (in standard form) for all
parabolas with axis of symmetry of 𝑥 = −2, vertex on the line
𝑦 = 2 and a latus rectum of length 28 units.
5. (Level 2 Only) Give an equation (in standard form) for all
parabolas whose latus rectum has endpoints (8, −1) and
(−8, −1).
a
TA – time allocation suggested by the teacher
b
ATA – actual time allocation spent by the student (for the evaluation of learning guide purposes)
* The proof is available at https://www.ck12.org/calculus/conic-sections-and-dandelin-
spheres/lesson/Conic-Sections-and-Dandelin-Spheres-MAT-ALY/

References
Leithold, L. (1995) The Calculus 7. HarperCollins College Division
Stewart, J. (2016) Calculus: Early Transcendentals. Cengage Learning

Prepared by: Angela Faith B. Daguman Reviewed by: Clifford Jed A. De Leon
Position: Special Science Teacher (SST) IV Position: Special Science Teacher (SST) III
Campus: PSHS-MC Campus: PSHS-CARC

Math 5 | Page 4 of 4