SECTION 8.1 Conic Seetionsand Parabolar S81 23 Blips Pacsbola yberbola @ Poin: plane though Single ine: plane Intersting lines cone vertex only angen: to cane » FIGURE 8.2 (a) The thee standard types of conie sections and (b) thee degenerate conic sections ‘The conic sections can be defined algebraically as the graphs of second-degree (quadratie equations in two variables, thats, equations ofthe frm Ax? + Bry + Oy? + Dy + By + P= 0, where A, B, and C are not all zero, Geometry of a Parabola In Section 2.1 we learned thatthe graph of quadratic function is an upward- or downward ‘opening parabola. We have seen the role of the parabola in free fall and projectile mo- tion. We now investigate the geometric properties of parabolas. A Degensrate Parabola DEFINITION Parabola “Ndeunerstee” othe line twough Fperpendice. A parabola is the set of all points in a plane equidistant from a particular line arto Henceforth, we wll assume F does not (ic HifeS##88) and a particular point (lhc FOEMs) in the plane (Figure 8.3). leon582 CHAPTER 8 Analytic Geometry in Two and Three Dimensions Locus of a Point Before the word set was used in mathematic, the [atin woed locus, meaning “plac,” was often used in geometric definitions, The locus of a point was the se of posible places a point ould be and till fitthe conditions ofthe definition, Sometimes, ons ae sill defined in terns of ls. FICURE 8.4 The geometry of a parabola As you can see in Figure 8.3, the line passing through the focus and perpendicular to the directrix isthe (focal) axis of the parabola. The axis isthe line of symmetry for the parabola. The point where the parabola intersects its axis is the vertex of the parabola. ‘The vertex is located midway between the focus and the directrix and isthe point of the parabola that is closest to both the focus and the directrix. Point on the parabola / FIGURE 8.3 Structure ofa Parabola. The distance from each point onthe parabola to both the focus and the directx isthe same 1, Prove thatthe vertex of the parabola with focus (0, 1) and directrix y is (0, 0) (Figure 8.4). 2, Find an equation forthe parabola shown in Figure 8.4. 3, Find the coordinates ofthe points of the parabola that are highlighted in Figure 8.4 We can generalize the situation in Exploration 1 (© show that an equation for the parabola with focus (0, p) and directrix y = =p is x? = 4py (Figure 8.5). ‘We must show first that a point P(x, y) that is equidistant from F(0, p) and the line =p satisfies the equation x* = dpy, and then that a point satisfying the equation ‘x? = dpy is equidistant from F(0, p) and the line y = =p’ Let P(x, y) be equidistant from F(O, p) and the line y = —p. Notice that VE= OF © = py = distance from P(x, ) to F(0, p), and VG =aF += (py) = distance from P(x, y) fy =FIGURE 8.6 Graph of y? with (@ p > Oand ()p < 0. SECTION 8.1 Conic Sections and Parabolar 583, Dire» iN Fo.) “re vex lies hatvay between ice ane foots @ w FIGURE 8.5 Graphs of x? = 4py with (a) p > O.and (4) » equating these distances and squaring yields: (= 0) + (= p= ea) + Cr)? P+ pP 0+ tp smelly at ty? — apy +p? = y2 + Qpy + p? Expand, x? = dpy ‘Combine like terms. By reversing the above steps, we see that a solution (x, y) of rom (0, p) and the line y = =p. Apy is equidistant ‘The equation x? = dpy isthe standard form of the equation of an upward-or downward ‘opening parabola with vertex at the origin. If p > 0, the parabola opens upward; if P<, it opens downward. An alternative algebraic form for such a parabola is y = ax, where a= I(4p). So the graph of x? = 4py is also the graph of the quadratic function f(x) = ax? ‘When the equation of an upward- or downward-opening parabola is writen asx = py. the value pis interpreted as the focal length of the parabola—the directed distance from the vertex the focus ofthe parabola, A line segment with endpoints on a parabola isa chord ofthe parabola, The value [4p isthe focal width of the parabola—the length of the chord through the focus and perpendicular to the axis. Parabolas that open tothe right or tothe left are inverse relations of upward- or downward ‘opening parabolas. Therefore, equations of parabolas with vertex (0, 0) that open to the sight or (othe left have the standard form y* = 4px. Ifp > 0, the parabola opens to the right, and if p <0, (othe left Figure 8.6) Parabolas with Vertex (0, 0) + Standard equation x= dy y= dps + Opens Upward or To the right or downward tothe left + Focus (0.2) (7.0) + Directrix y + Axis » + Focal length P P + Focal width lal el See Figures 8.5 and 8.6,see CHAPTER & Analytic Geometry in Two and Three Dimensions EXAMPLE I. Finding the Focus, Directrix, and Focal Width (13)4 Find the focus, the directrix, and the focal width of the parabola y SOLUTION Multiplying both sides ofthe equation by ~3 yields the standard form 3. The coeicint of yis dp ~ —3: hsp = ~3/4 So the focus is (0,p) = (0, ~3/4). Because =p = ~(—3/4) = 3/4, the directrix isthe line y = 3/4. The focal width is [p| = [-3] = 3 Now try Exercise 1. EXAMPLE 2 Finding an Equation of a Parabola Find an equation in standard form for the parabola whose directx is the line x = 2 and whose focus isthe point (~2, 0) SOLUTION Because the directrix is x = 2 and the focus is (—2, 0), the focal length is p = —2 and the parabola opens to the left. The equation of the parabola in standard form is y* = 4px or, more specifically, y? = —Bx. Now try Exercise 15. Translations of Parabolas ‘When a parabola with the equation x? = 4py or y = 4px is translated horizontally by ‘hunts and vertically by k units, the Vertex of the parabola moves from (0, 0) co (h, k) (Figure 8.7). Such a translation does not change the focal length, the focal width, or the direction the parabola opens thken PIGURE 8.7 Parabolas with verex (hk) and focus om (a) x = h and (b) y= k Parabolas with Vertex (h, k) +Standard equation (x — h)? = 4p(y— 8) (y — 8)? = 4p(v— hi) + Opens Upward or To the right or downward to the left + Focus (hk +) (ht pb) + Directrix + Axis + Focal length p P + Focal width kel kel See Figure 8.7SECTION 8.1 Conic Sections and Parabolar 585, EXAMPLE 3 Finding an Equation of a Parabola Find the standard form of the equation forthe parabola with vertex (3,4) and focus 5.4) SOLUTION ‘The axis ofthe parabola isthe lin passing through the vertex (3, 4) and the focus (5, 4). This is the line y ~ 4, So the equation has the form (y = B= 4px — h), Because the vertex (h,#) = (3,4), vertex (3, 4) to the focus (5, 4) is p seckis Band k = 4, The dizected distance from the 5 —3 = 2,s04p = 8, Thus the equation we O- 4 = 8 3) Now try Exercise 21. ‘When solving a problem lke Example 3, ii «good ida to sketch the vertex, the fo- us, and other features of the parabola as we solve the problem. This makes i easy © fe whether the axis of the parabola is horizontal or vertical and the relative postions ofits features, Exploration 2 "walks us through” this process Carry out the following steps using a sheet of rectangular graph paper. 1, Let the focus F of a parabola be (2, ~2) and its directrix be y = 4. Draw the x and y-axes on the graph paper. Then sketch and label the focus and dizectix of the parabola. 2. Locate, sketch, and label the axis of the parabola, What is the equation of the axis? Locate and plot the vertex V ofthe parabola, Label it by name and coordinates. ‘What are the focal length and focal width of the parabola? ‘Use the focal width to locate, plot, and label the endpoints of @ chord of the parabola that parallels the directrix. 6. Sketch the parabola, 7. Which direction does it open? ‘8, What is its equation in standard form? ‘Sometimes itis best to sketch a parabola by hand, as in Exploration 2; this helps us see the structure and relationships of the parabola and its features, At other times, we may ‘want or need an accurate, active graph. If we wish to graph a parabola using a function _grapher, we need to solve the equation of the parabola for y, as illustrated in Example 4. EXAMPLE 4 Graphing a Parabola Use a function grapher to graph the parabola (y ~ 4)? = 8(x — 3) of Example 3 SOLUTION (-4P = 8-3) yr4= VEGA) Extoe squre root <4 VaqR3) Aula Let¥, = 4 + Vaqe = 3) and Yy = 4 — VA(e— 3), and graph the two equations in a window centered at the vertex, as shown in Figure 8.8 Now try Exercise 45.586 CHAPTER 8 Analytic Geometry in Two and Three Dimensions Closing the Gap In Figure 88, we centred the graphing window at the vertex (34) ofthe parabola to nse tha this Pit would be plated. This aids the commen rapher ero of «gap between the two upper and Tower parts of the conic section being plotted ost ost hot Filament on igntaoare) ‘focus SEARCHLIGHT @ Pacsboticrasio. wave reflector RADIO TELESCOPE ° FIGURE 8.9 Examples of parabolic reflector, FIGURE 8.10 Cross seation of parabolic reflector in Example 6. FL My F210) FIGURE 8.8 The graphs of YI = 4 + VEE) and ¥2 = 4 - VE) {ogether form the graph of (y — 4)? = 8(x — 3), (Example 4) EXAMPLE 5. Using Standard Forms with a Parabola Prove that the graph ofy* — 6x + 2y + 13 = Oisa parabola, and find its vertex, focus, and directrix, SOLUTION Because this equation is quadratic in the variable y, we complete the square with respect to y to obtain a standard form. yin ort aye 6x13 Talat the y-trms 6x13 +1 Complete the suore or 12 6(x — 2) ‘This equation is in the standard form (y — k)? = 4p(x ~ h), where k= andp = 6/4 = 3/2 = 1.5. Itfollows that + the vertex (h, k) is (2, —1); + the focus (ht + p,k) is (3.5, 1), or (772, -1)s + the directrix x = h ~ pis x = 05, orx = 1/2 Now try Exercise 49. Reflective Property of a Parabola ‘The main applications of parabolas involve their use as reflectors of sound, light, radio waves, and other electromagnetic waves. If we rotate a parabola in three-dimensional space about its axis, the parabola sweeps out a paraboloid of revolution. If we place a signal source atthe focus of a reflective paraboloid, the signal reflects off the surfave in lines parallel to the axis of syrametry, a illustrated in Figure 8.9a. This property is used by flashlights, headlights, searchlights, microwave relays, and satellite up-links ‘The principle works for signals traveling in the reverse direction as well (Figure 8.9b); signals arriving parallel to a parabolic reflector’s axis are directed Coward the reflector's, focus. This property is used to intensily signals picked up by radio telescopes and tele- vision satelite dishes, to focus aztiving light in reflecting telescopes, to concentrate heat in solar ovens, and to magnify sound for sideline microphones at football games. EXAMPLE 6 Studying a Parabolic Microphone ‘On the sidelines of each of is televised football games, the FBTV network uses @ parabolic reflector with a microphone at the reflectors focus to captute the conversa tions among players on the field. Ifthe parabolic reflector is 3 ft across and 1 ft deep, ‘where should the microphone be placed?sr SOLUTION ‘We draw a cross section of the reflector as an upward-opening parabola in the Carte- sian plane, placing its vertex V at the origin (Figure 8.10), We let the focus F have ‘coordinates (0, p) to yield the equation x? = dy, ‘Because the reflector is 3 ft across and 1 ft deep. he points (+ 1.5, 1) must lie on the parabola. The microphone should be placed atthe focus, so we need to find the value ‘of p. We do this by substituting the values we found into the equation: x= dpy (£15)? = 4p) 2.25 = 4p 22 28 «9560s ar Because p = 05625 ff 675 inches, the microphone shoul be placed inside the reflector long it axt and 6 inches rom is werex. Now try Exercise 99. (BE QUICK REVIEW 8.1 (Forhelp, go Sections P2, PS, and 2.1.) Exercise numbers with a gray background indicate problems ‘that the authors have designed to be solved without a calculator. In Exercises | and 2 find the distance between the given points 1 (-1,3)ang (2.5) 2) (2.—3) and (a) In Exercises $ and, solve foryintenmsof x ay? = Be yy? = 158 In Exercises 5 and 6, complete the square to rewrite the equation in vertex form Bhy=-x 420-7 (Gy = ast + 6-5 IW SECTION 8.1 EXERCISES In Fxercises 1-6, find the vertex, focus, directrix, and foeal width ofthe parabola Lt = 6 Byt = By 2 sale +3) Oe + a= 66 41) 5) x2 = ~4y 6.5)? = 16 In Exercises 7-10, match the graph with its equation, x y @ ® In Exercises 7 and 8, fnd the vertex and axis ofthe graph off. Describe how the graph off can be obtained from the graph of (0) = 22, and graph J: 7. fle) = 30-1 +5 f(x) = 2a? 4 12k + In Exercises 9 and 10, wnte an equation forthe quadratic function ‘whose graph contains the given vertex and point 9 Verex (1, 3}, point (0.1) 10, Verex (2, ~5), point (5, 13) x 2 © @ Dt=sy B= Bye = 10. y* = Lor In Exercises 11-30, fin an equation in standard form forthe parabola that satisfies the given conditions Ts Vertex (0,0). focus (-3.0) 12, Verex (0,0), focus (0,2)588 CILAPTER 8 Analytic Geometry in Two and Three Dimensions 18) Vertex (0,0), directx y = 4 1A, Vertex (0,0), dzeosix x 15; Focus (0,5), diveeunx y 16, Focus (4,0), dcetrix 17 Vertex (0, 0}, opens tothe igh, focal width = 8 18 Verex (0,0), opens tothe let, focal width = 12 19, Vertex (0, 0}, opens downward, focal width = 6 20, Vertex (0,0), opens upward, focal wits = 3 21, Focus (—2, ~4), eter (4,4) 222) Focus (5,3), vertex (5,6) BB, Foous (3,4), diretix y = 1 2A, Focus (2, ~3), diectix 225, Vertex (4,3), dirotin x = 6 26, Venex (3,5), direoix y = 7 27, Verex (2, -1), opens upward, focal width ~ 16 2B, Vertex (~3, 3), opens downward, focal with = 20 229, Venex (1, ~4), opens othe Lf, foal width 380, Vertex (2,3), opens tothe right, focal wit = In Exercises 31-6, sketch the graph of th parabola by hand, 31) y* = ~4r 82) = 8y 33) (x= 4) = -129 +1) BA) (y = 2)? = -16(0 +3) 35) (y - P= 8x +3) 5 0 36, (x ~ 5) = 20(y + 2) In Exercises 37-48, raph the parabola using a fonction grape. at yaa? aa. y=-t 39, = 84 40, x= 2? A129 +1) = (= 3)? 42, 6 = 3) = (+ AP 43,2 -y= lo 3) a, (+4)? = 8-1) 45, (y= 3) = 1-2) 46, (VHP = He +5) AT = 2) = -8 +1) 48, (9 8) = 164-4) In Exercises 49-52, prove thatthe graph of the equation isa parabola, and find its vertex, focus, and directx. 49) 2 4 avy 3 50 3x? - Gr 6y + 10=0 Si. yay - sr +20 52. y?-2y+4r-12 In Exercises 53-56, write an equation forthe parabola s3) x SA, y (55,0) * or 2) ay 55. x 56. y cee ann * oy 57, Writing to Learn Explain why the derivation of x? = 4py is valid regardless of whether p > O orp <0. 58) Writing to Learn Prove that an equation for the parabola with focus (p, 0) and directrix = —p isy’ = 4px 59. Designing a Flashlight Mirror The miror of « flashlight i a paraboloid of revolution. Its diameter ie 6 cm and its depth is 2 cm. Hoow far from the vertex should the Glameat ‘ofthe ligtbull be placed far the Mashlght ro ave its eam ran parallel othe ans of te mirror? 60. Designing a Satellite Dish The reflector ofa tele son satellite dish isa paraboloid of revolution with diameter 5 ft and a depth of 2, How far fzom the vertex should the receiving antenna be placed? 61 “The Sports Channel utes 2 parabolic microphone fo capture allthe sounds feom golf tournaments throughout a season one af it microphones has a parabolic surlae generated by the parabola? = 10y, locate the focus (the electronic receiver) ofthe parabola 62, Parabolic Headlights Siin Glass, Inc, maket bolic heaghts for a vaviety of automobiles. Ione ofits heade lighs has parabolic surface generated by the parabola ‘<= 12), where should it lightbulb be placed? 63, Group Activity Designing a Suspension Bridge |The main cables of a suspension bridge uniformly distibate the weight ofthe bridge when i the form of a parabola. The main cables of a particular bridge are atached to towes that ae 600 ft apr, The cables ae tached othe ow cfs ala eight of 110 ft above the roadway and are 10 above the roadway a their lowest points vertical suppor cables axe 2 50 intervals along the level roadway, what ae the lengths ofthese vertical cables?50m 64. Group Activity Designing a Bridge Arch Parabolic aches are known to have greater strength than other arches. A bridge with «supporting parabolic arch spans 60 f. with a 30-fwide road passing underneath the bridge. n order tohave a minimums clearance of 16 ft, what isthe maximom clearance? 7 eT Standardized Test Questions 65, True or False Every point on a parabola isthe same distance from its focus and ts axis. Justify your answer. 66, Truc or False The dectis of a parabola parallel to the parabolas axis, Justify your answer In Exercises 67-70, solve the problem without using a calculator. je Choice Which of the following curves is not a conic section? (A) Circle (B) Blipse (©) Hyperbola (D) Oval (B) Parabola 68, Multiple Choice Which point do al conics ofthe form 1 = spy haves common? «a 1) (8) (1,0) (©) (0.1) (D) (0,0) (8) (-1.-1) SECTION 8.1 Conic Sections and Parabolas 589 69, Multipte Choice The focus ofy? = 12ris &) (3.3) (B) (3,0). (©) (0,3) () (0,0) ©) (-3.-3) 70, Multiple Choice The vertex of (y ~ 3)? = ~8( + 2) &) @.-2) (B)(-3,-2). ©) (73.2), ()(-2,3) (8) (-2,-3). Explorations 71. Dynamically Constructing a Parabola Use a geometry software package, such a Cabri Geometry I™. The Geometer's Sketchpad, or sitnlat application on a handheld device, to construct a parabola geometcally from is defi tion, (See Figure 8.3.) (9) Start by placing ane # (tects) and a point F (focus) not fn the line inthe construction window. (b) Construct point A onthe directex, and then the segment AF. (©) Construct a paint P where the perpendicular bisector of AF meets the line perpendicular to I through A, (@) What curve does P race out as A moves? (@) Prove that your answer to pat (ds cortet. 72. Constructing Points of a Parabola Use a geome- lay sofware package, such as Cabri Geometry IM™, The Geometer's Sketchpad ®, ox ssilat application on a handbelé Gevice, to construct Figure 8.4, associated with Exploration 1 () Start by placing the coordinate axes in the construction window (b) Construct the line y = —1 as the direczix and the point (0,1) as the focus. (©) Construct the horizontal lines and concensic circles shown in Figure 84 (4) Construct the points where these horizontal lines and con- centric circles meet (©) Prove these points le onthe parabola with directx y = Hand focus (0,1) 73. Degenerate Cones and Degenerate Conies Degenerate cones occur when the generator and axis of tbe cone are parallel or perpendicular. (=) Draw a sketch and describe the “cone” obtained when the senerilor and axis of the cone are parallel, (b) Draw sketches and name the types of degenerate conics obtained by intersecting the degenerate cane in part (2) wih a plane