PARABOLA

Parts of Parabola
a) Vertex (V)
b) Focus (F)
c) Latus Rectum (LR)
d) Directrix (D)

Equations
General Form: Standard Form:
y= ax2+ bx + c Vertical: (x-h)2 = 4a (y-k)
x = ay2 + by + c Horizontal: (y-k)2 = 4a (x-h)

Formulas
Vertex
(h, k)

Focus Endpoints of the LR (Horizontal)

Vertical (upward or downward): (h, k+a) ELR1 (h+a, k+2a)
Horizontal (left or right): (h+a, k) ELR2 (h+a, k-2a)
Directrix Endpoints of the LR (vertical)
Vertical: y = (k-a) ELR1 (h+2a, k+a)
Horizontal: x = (h-a) ELR2 (h-2a, k+a)

Graphing a Parabola with V (0,0) can be determined if:

Vertical
Horizontal Upward if x2 = 4ay (positive)
Right if y2 = 4ax (positive)
Equation example:
Equation example:
x2 = 12y
y2 = 12x

Downard if x2 = -4ay (negative)

Left fs y2 = -4ax (negative)
Equation example:
Equation example:
x2 = -16y
y2 = -16x

Determining the V, F, D & ELRs of an Equation

Standard Equation
(x-2)2 -= -12 (y-2) F : (h, k+a): (2, -2)
V (h, k): (2, 2) D: y = k-a; y = 4
4a = -12 ELR1 (h+2a, k+a): [2 + 2(-4), 2 + (-4)]: (-6, -2)
-12 divided by 4 a = -4 ELR1 (h-2a, k+a): [2 - 2(-4), 2 + (-4)]: (10, -2)
General Equation
y2 – 6y + 8x + 25 = 0
1. arrange
y2 – 6y = -8x – 25
2. factor
y2 – 6y = -8x – 25 +9 = -16 ÷ -8 = 2
÷2

(y – 3)2 = -8 (x + 2)
(y-3) (y-3) = y2 – 6y + 9

(y – 3)2 = -8 (x + 2) standard form

You can now get the V, F, D & ELRs by following the same
method from standard form.
V (-2, 3)
4a = -8; a = -2
F (-4, 3)
D: x = -0
ELR1 (-4, -1)
ELR2 (-4, 7)

Exercises
a. Find the standard equation and sketch the parabola given its V and F.
1. V (4, -4); F (4, -2)
2. V (0, -1); F (-2, -1)

b. Find the general equation.

1. (y – 4)2 = 8 (x + 2)
2. (x + 4)2 = 20 (y - 3)

c. Find the standard equation, V, F, D, ELRs and sketch.

1. x2 – 2x – 6y + 25 = 0
2. y2 – 6x + 2y – 17 = 0