Unit 2: Parabolas

Lesson 2.3
Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations
Contents
Introduction 1

Learning Objectives 2

Warm Up 2

Learn about It! 4

Applications of Parabolas 4
Word Problems on Parabolas 6

Key Points 14

Check Your Understanding 15

Challenge Yourself 17

Photo Credits 18

Bibliography 18

Key to Try It! 18

Unit 2: Parabolas
Lesson 2.3

Applications of Parabolas in Real-

life Situations

Introduction
The picture shows a pair of parabolic whisper dishes at the New Mexico Museum of Space
History. Even if these two dishes are far away from each other, a whisper made at the focus
of one dish can be heard by a person near the other dish. How does the whisper dish work?

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 1

Unit 2: Parabolas
The distinguishing characteristic of a parabola is its shape and focus. The parabolic structure
of satellite dishes, telescopes, flashlights, and suspension bridges is what makes them
useful and efficient. In this lesson, we will explore the different applications of parabolas.

Learning Objectives
DepEd Competency
In this lesson, you should be able to do the
following: Solve situational problems
involving parabolas
● Identify real-life applications of parabolas.
(STEM_PC11AG-Ie-2).
● Solve real-life problems involving
parabolas.

Warm Up
Parabolas and Paraboloids 10 minutes
In this activity, you will determine the parts of paraboloids and parabolas that can be seen
in real life.

Materials
● worksheet
● pen

Procedure
1. On your worksheet, label the vertex and the approximate location of the focus, then

draw a line for their axes of symmetry.

2. Answer the guide questions that follow.

Worksheet

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 2

Unit 2: Parabolas

Instructions: The objects below resemble paraboloids or parabolas. Label the vertex and
the approximate location of the focus, then draw a line for the axis of symmetry.

Guide Questions

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 3

Unit 2: Parabolas
1. What are the important features or parts of a parabola?
2. What is the standard form of the equation of a parabola that opens upward? How
about a parabola that opens downward?
3. What are some of the other real-life applications of parabolas?

Learn about It!

Parabolas have a lot of applications, especially in physics and engineering. In this lesson, we
will be able to understand how the features of the parabola make it very useful in the real
world.

What are the unique features of parabolas?

Applications of Parabolas
Parabolas have a reflective property. If a light source is placed at a parabola’s focus, the
light rays bounce off the parabola and are reflected parallel to the axis of symmetry.

Fig. 2.3.1. The direction of light rays bouncing off the parabola

Thus, a concentrated light beam is produced. This is the reason why spotlights, flashlights,

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 4

Unit 2: Parabolas
headlights, and searchlights emit focused beams of light while light bulbs do not.

On the other hand, the opposite is true for satellite dishes and telescopes. When radio
signals or beams of light reach the paraboloid, they bounce onto the paraboloid and reflect
the focus.

Fig. 2.3.2. The direction of radio signals reaching the paraboloid

These radio signals or light waves are very faint, but since they are collected at the focus, a
stronger sound or image is produced. This allows us to receive the sound and light waves
more clearly.

The trajectory of an object without air resistance also resembles a parabola. Some
examples are the path of a ball, the water from the fountain, and a missile.

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 5

Unit 2: Parabolas
Fig. 2.3.3. The trajectory of a baseball forms a parabola.

Suspension bridges and arches are also parabolic in nature. It allows more support to the
whole structure. The image below is the Golden Gate Bridge, a suspension bridge in San
Francisco, California.

Fig. 2.3.4. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California

What are some examples of parabolas that you can

see in real life?

Word Problems on Parabolas

Recall that a parabola is the set of all points in a plane that are equidistant from a fixed line
called the directrix and a fixed point not on the line called the focus. Knowledge about the
equations, graphs, and properties of parabolas are necessary to solve word problems
involving parabolas. The features and parts of a parabola are the focus, directrix, vertex, axis

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 6

Unit 2: Parabolas
of symmetry, and latus rectum. Word problems on parabolas include finding the location of
the focus, the equation of the parabola, and points on the parabola.

Let’s Practice!

Example 1
A paraboloid light reflector is 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep. Where should the light
source be placed to produce a concentrated beam of light?

Solution
Step 1: Sketch the graph of the parabola on a coordinate plane.

For simplicity, we will assume that the parabola opens upward, and the vertex
is at the origin, as shown below. Since the light reflector is 12 inches wide, each
half of the parabola is 6 inches wide. The height of the parabola is 6 inches.

Step 2: Identify the form of the standard equation of the parabola.

Since the parabola opens upward and its vertex is at the origin, its equation is
of the form 𝑥 2 = 4𝑐𝑦.

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 7

Unit 2: Parabolas

Step 3: Solve for the focal distance 𝑐.

To solve for the focal distance 𝑐, we will use the standard form of the equation
of the parabola, 𝑥 2 = 4𝑐𝑦, and a point on the parabola. From the graph, we
know that (6, 6) is a point on the parabola.

Substitute the coordinates of (6, 6) in the equation and solve for 𝑐.

𝑥 2 = 4𝑐𝑦
62 = 4𝑐(6)
36 = 24𝑐
36
𝑐=
24
3
𝑐=
2

3
Therefore, the focal distance is 𝑐 = 2 or 1.5 inches.

Step 4: Determine the location of the focus.

The focal distance is the distance from the vertex to the focus. Since the vertex

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 8

Unit 2: Parabolas
is at (0, 0); the parabola opens upwards; and the focal distance is
𝑐 = 1.5, the focus is at (0, 1.5).

This means that the light source should be 1.5 inches from the vertex of the
parabolic light reflector.

1 Try It!
A flashlight is shaped like a paraboloid. If the paraboloid is 5 cm deep and 8 cm wide
on its surface, at what location should the light source be placed?

Example 2
The path of the water from the spout of a fountain on the ground travels a parabolic path
and then lands on the ground. The horizontal distance traveled by the water is 8 feet and the
maximum height reached by the water is 8 feet. Write a function that gives the height 𝑦 of
the water given its horizontal distance 𝑥 from the spout of the fountain assuming that the
spout is at the origin.

Solution
Step 1: Sketch the graph of the parabola on a coordinate plane.

The path of the water resembles a parabola that opens downwards. The water
fountain spout is at the origin. Since the horizontal distance traveled by the
water is 8 feet, (8, 0) is also a point on the graph. The maximum height reached

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 9

Unit 2: Parabolas
8
by the water is 8 feet, which is at 𝑥 = = 4. Thus, the graph of the parabola is
2

as follows.

Step 2: Determine the equation of the parabola.

Since the parabola opens downwards and its vertex is at (4, 8), its equation is
of the form (𝑥 − 4)2 = −4𝑐(𝑦 − 8).

Solve for the value of 𝑐 by using a point on the parabola. We know that the
point (8, 0) is on the parabola. Substitute the 𝑥- and 𝑦-coordinates of this point
to 𝑥 and 𝑦 in the equation, respectively.

(𝑥 − 4)2 = −4𝑐(𝑦 − 8)
(8 − 4)2 = −4𝑐(0 − 8)
42 = −4𝑐(−8)
16 = 32𝑐

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 10

Unit 2: Parabolas
16
𝑐=
32
1
𝑐=
2

1 1
Since 𝑐 = , 4𝑐 = 4 ( ) = 2.
2 2

Therefore, the equation of the parabola is (𝑥 − 4)2 = −2(𝑦 − 8).

2 Try It!
An object is thrown upward from the ground. Its trajectory is parabolic, its maximum
height is 6 meters, and the horizontal distance it traveled is 12 meters before it
reached the ground. Write a function that gives the height 𝑦 of the object given its
horizontal distance 𝑥 from the starting point, assuming that the starting point is at
the origin.

Remember
The width of the parabolic object or the diameter of the paraboloid is
not necessarily the latus rectum.

Example 3
The cable of a suspension bridge forms a parabolic arc such that the lowest point of the cable
is in the middle of two towers. The two towers are 210 meters high and 1 000 meters apart.
The lowest point of the cable is 10 meters above the road. Find the height of the cable 300
meters away from a tower.

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 11

Unit 2: Parabolas

Solution
Step 1: Sketch the graph of the parabola on a coordinate plane.

For easy computations, we will let the vertex of the parabola be at (0, 10). This
means that the 𝑥-axis represents the road. The axis of symmetry of the
parabola is the 𝑦-axis.

Step 2: Determine the equation of the parabola.

Since the parabola opens upward with vertex at (0,10), its equation is of the
form 𝑥 2 = 4𝑐(𝑦 − 10). We need to find the focal distance, 𝑐.

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 12

Unit 2: Parabolas
To determine the focal distance 𝑐, we need to get a point on the parabola
different from the vertex. Since the height of the towers is 210 meters, and
half the distance between the two towers is 500 meters, we know that
(500,210) is a point on the parabola.

We will substitute the 𝑥 and 𝑦 coordinates of this point to 𝑥 and 𝑦 in the

equation.
𝑥 2 = 4𝑐(𝑦 − 10)
(500)2 = 4𝑐(210 − 10)
250 000 = 4𝑐(200)
250 000 = 800𝑐
𝑐 = 312.5

Since the focal distance is 312.5, the equation of the parabola is

𝑥 2 = 4(312.5)(𝑦 − 10) or 𝑥 2 = 1 250(𝑦 − 10).

Step 3: Find the height of the cable 300 meters away from a tower.

If the cable is 300 meters away from the tower, it means that it is 200 meters
away from the origin since the distance from the origin to the tower is 500
meters. To determine the height, we need to find the 𝑦 value when 𝑥 = 200.
We will substitute 200 to 𝑥 in the equation then solve for 𝑦.

𝑥 2 = 1 250(𝑦 − 10)
(200) 2 = 1 250(𝑦 − 10)

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 13

Unit 2: Parabolas
40 000 = 1 250(𝑦 − 10)
40 000
= 𝑦 − 10
1 250
32 = 𝑦 − 10
𝑦 = 32 + 10
𝑦 = 42

Therefore, the height of the cable 300 meters away from a tower is 42
meters.

3 Try It!
A cable is supported by two poles such that the cable is parabolic in shape. The lowest
part of the cable is exactly halfway between the two poles and is 8 feet above the
ground. The two poles are both 10 feet high, and they are 16 feet apart. Find the
height of the cable 2 feet away from a tower.

Key Points
___________________________________________________________________________________________

● A parabola is the set of all points in a plane that are equidistant from a fixed line
called the directrix and a fixed point not on the line called the focus.
● The features and parts of a parabola are the focus, directrix, vertex, axis of
symmetry, and latus rectum. The exact locations of these features depend on the
equation of the parabola.
● Parabolas have applications in different fields, such as physics and engineering.
Real-life objects that are parabolic in nature include satellite dishes, suspension
bridges, spotlights, headlights, and trajectory of objects.
● The reflective property of parabolas allows spotlights to emit a focused beam and
satellite dishes to receive sound or light waves.

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 14

Unit 2: Parabolas
● The trajectories of projectiles resemble a parabola.
● The parabolic structure of suspension bridges and arches give them ample support
to withstand compression and tension.
● In order to solve word problems on parabolas, it is necessary to have knowledge on
its graphs, equations, and properties. Word problems on parabolas include finding
the focus, the equation of the parabola, and a point on the parabola.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Check Your Understanding

A. Answer the following problems.

1. The equation of the parabola is 𝑦 2 = 6(𝑥 + 2). How far is the focus from its vertex?
2. The equation of the parabola is (𝑥 − 4)2 = 12(𝑦 − 2). What are the coordinates of its
focus?
3. Determine the equation of a parabola that opens upwards whose vertex is at the
3
origin and passing through point (3, 2).

4. Determine the equation of a parabola that opens downwards whose vertex is at the
point (5, 3) and passing through (3, 2).

B. Solve the following word problems.

1. A spotlight is shaped like a paraboloid. Its diameter is 12 inches, and its depth is 8

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 15

Unit 2: Parabolas
inches. Where should the light source be placed for the spotlight to emit a focused
beam of light that is parallel to the paraboloid’s axis?
2. A satellite dish is shaped like a paraboloid. Its diameter is 2.5 feet, and its depth is 1
foot. How far should the receiver be placed from the vertex? (Round off your answer
to two decimal places.)
3. A flashlight is a paraboloid in shape. Its diameter is 4 inches, and its depth is 3 inches.
How far should the light bulb be from the vertex for the flashlight to produce a
focused beam of light parallel to the paraboloid’s axis?
4. A ball is thrown from the ground and landed back to the ground at a horizontal
distance of 6 meters. The trajectory of the ball is parabolic, and the maximum height
that it reached is 5 meters.
a. Write an equation that gives the ball’s height 𝑦 given its horizontal distance 𝑥.
b. What is the height of the ball at a horizontal distance 𝑥 = 4?
5. An object is thrown upwards from the ground such that it travels a parabolic path.
The maximum height reached by the object is 24 meters, and the horizontal distance
it traveled is 16 meters before it reached the ground. Write a function that gives the
height 𝑦 of the object given its horizontal distance 𝑥 from the starting point, assuming
that the starting point is at the origin.
6. A wire is suspended between two poles that are 6 meters apart. The wire is shaped
like a parabola. Both poles are 2 meters high. The lowest point of the wire is midway
between the poles and is 1.5 meters above the ground.
a. What is the height of the wire 1 meter away from a pole?
b. How far is a point on the wire from a pole if it is 1.6 meters high? (Round off
your answer to two decimal places.)
7. The cable that supports a suspension bridge is parabolic and is connected to two
towers. The two towers are 255 meters high and 1 500 meters apart. The lowest point
of the cable is 5 meters above the road. Find the height of the cable 150 meters from
a tower.

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 16

Unit 2: Parabolas
8. A bridge shaped like a parabolic arch has a horizontal distance of 20 feet. The center
and highest point of the arch is 5 feet above the ground. What is the height of the
bridge at a point 5 feet from the center?

Challenge Yourself

Answer the following questions.

1. An object was thrown into the air. Its path is parabolic and has the equation
(𝑥 − 8)2 = −5(𝑦 − 20) where 𝑦 is the height (in feet) of the object, and 𝑥 is its
horizontal distance (in feet) from the starting point.
a. At what height was the object released?
b. What was the horizontal distance traveled by the object until it reached the
ground?
c. What was the maximum height of the object?
2. A spotlight is shaped like a paraboloid with the light source placed at the focus. The
depth of the spotlight is 1 ft, such that the light source is 0.25 ft away from the vertex.
What should be the diameter of the spotlight?
3. A satellite dish is in the shape of a paraboloid. The receiver is at the focus, which is 10
inches away from the vertex. If the depth of the satellite dish is 5 inches, what should
be the diameter of the satellite dish? (Round-off your answer to two decimal places.)
4. A light reflector is shaped like a paraboloid such that its light source is at the focus.
The light source is 5 cm from the vertex, and the diameter of the light reflector is 22
cm. What is the depth of the light reflector? (Round-off your answer to two decimal
places.)
5. A bridge shaped like a parabolic arch has a horizontal distance of 20 feet. The height
of a point 1 foot from the center is 8 feet. What is the maximum height of the bridge
if it is located at the center? (Round-off your answer to the nearest tenths.)

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 17

Unit 2: Parabolas

Photo Credits
Arch bridge icon by Pechristener is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

GoldenGateBridge-001 by Rich Niewiroski Jr. is licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia

Commons.

Bibliography
Blitzer, Robert. Algebra and Trigonometry. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:
Pearson/Prentice Hal, 2007.

Larson, Ron. College Algebra with Applications for Business and the Life Sciences. Boston:
MA:Houghton Mifflin, 2009.

Safier, Fred. Schaum’s Outlines of Precalculus. New York, N.Y: McGraw-Hill, 2013

Simmons, George F. Calculus with Analytic Geometry. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996.

Stapel, Elizabeth. “Conics: Parabolas: Word Problems & Calculators.” Purplemath. Accessed
from https://www.purplemath.com/modules/parabola4.htm, 5 February 2020.

Key to Try It!

1. (0, 0.8) or 0.8 cm from the vertex
2. (𝑥 − 6)2 = −6(𝑦 − 6)
1
3. 9 feet
8

2.3. Applications of Parabolas in Real-life Situations 18