Department of Education

SCHOOLS DIVISION OF CITY OF MEYCAUAYAN

Pag-asa St., Malhacan, City of Meycauayan, Bulacan

Senior High School

Activity Sheet 11
in
PRE - CALCULUS
Quarter 1 – Week 2:
Parabolas:define and determine
the standard form
(STEM_PC11AG-Ia-b-1)
 PARABOLAS

Let Us Know

http://www.copyrightfreephotos.com/

What do you see in the figure above?

A famous landmark around the world are in the form of parabola. A curve followed by
projectiles are considered as parabolic design. This learning activity may help you master
how to determine the standard form of parabola and define it.

In this activity, you will know all about parabolas and its equation as you go through.

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to: define a parabola and determine the
standard form of a parabola.

Let Us Review

Check the box beside the equation which you think is an example of quadratic equation.

𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3 = 0 𝑥2 − 𝑥 = y

2𝑥 + 3 = y −𝑥 2 − 𝑥 = 5

𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3 = 0 𝑥 4 + 5𝑥 + 3 = 0

5𝑥 = 𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 2)2 − 2𝑥 = 1

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 Let Us Study

A parabola is a set of all coplanar points that are equidistant from a fixed line
(directrix) and a fixed point (focus) not on the fixed line.

An Axis of Symmetry is the line perpendicular o the directrix and passing through
the focus.

The point on the parabola midway between the latus rectum and the directrix is the
vertex of the parabola.

The chord that passes through the focus and perpendicular to the axis of symmetry
is called the latus rectum.

The general form of the equation of a parabola is 𝑨𝒙𝟐 + 𝑪𝒚𝟐 + 𝑫𝒙 + 𝑬𝒚 + 𝑭 = 𝟎 , where

either A or C is zero. You will use the completing the square method to go from general form
to standard form.

Vertex (0,0) Vertex (h, k)

Equation 2
𝑦 = 4𝑝𝑥 𝑥 2 = 4𝑝𝑦 (𝑦 − 𝑘) = 4𝑝(𝑥 − ℎ) (𝑥 − ℎ)2 = 4𝑝(𝑦 − 𝑘)
2

Focus (p, 0) (0, p) (h + p, k) (h, k + p)

Equation of Directrix x = -p y = -p x=h–p y=k–p

3
Example #1

Find the coordinates of the focus and the equation of the directrix of 𝑦 2 = 8𝑥.
Solution:
The eq. y 2 = 8x is in the form y 2 = 4px ,
4p = 8
p=2
Therefore, the Focus = (2, 0) and its directrix is x = -2.

Example #2

Find the coordinates of the focus and the equation of the directrix of 𝑥 2 = 12𝑦.

Solution:

The eq. 𝑥 2 = 12y is in the form x 2 = 4py ,

4p = 12
p=3

Therefore, the Focus = (0, 3) and its directrix is y = -3.

Example #3

Given : x2 - 12x - 4y + 28 = 0. Express the equation of the parabola in

standard form.

Solution:
We will use completing the square method.

(x2 - 12x) = 4y - 28
𝑏 −12
(x2 - 12x + ______) = 4y - 28 + _______ ; (2)2 = ( 2 )2 = −62 = 36
(x – 6)2 = 4y + 8 ; factor the right side of the equation.
(x – 6) = 4( y + 2) is the standard form of parabola
2

4
Example #4

Write the equation of parabola in standard form with vertex at the origin and
whose focus has coordinates (0, 3).

Solution:
Since the coordinates of focus is (0, 3), therefore the parabola is in the form
of𝑥 2 = 4𝑝𝑦
( 0, 3 ) = (0, p ) p=3

𝑥 2 = 4𝑝𝑦 𝑥 2 = 4(3)𝑦 ; substitute the value of p, then simplify.

𝒙𝟐 = 𝟏𝟐𝒚 is the standard form of parabola.

Let Us Practice

For each problem, find the coordinates of the focus and the equation of the directrix. Write
your answer and solution on a separate sheet of paper.

1. 𝑥 2 = 16𝑦

2. 𝑦 2 = 24𝑥

3. 𝑥 2 − 12𝑦 = 0

5
 Let Us Remember

Answer the following questions.

1. When do we know if the parabola opens upward or downward?

2. What is the general form of parabola? How does it differ from the general form of the
equation of circle?

Let Us Appreciate

Write the equation of the parabola in standard form with vertex at the origin that satisfies
the given conditions.

1. The focus has coordinates (-4, 0)

2. The equation of the directrix is y – 5 = 0

Let Us Practice More

Express each equation of the parabola in standard form. Write your answer and solution
on a separate sheet of paper.

1. 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 𝑦 + 11 = 0

2. 𝑦 2 − 4𝑥 − 6𝑦 + 17 = 0

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 Evaluation

I. Find the coordinates of the focus and the equation of the directrix for each
parabola.

1. 𝑦 2 = −10𝑥

2. 𝑦 2 = 10𝑥

3. 𝑦 2 + 8𝑥 = 0

4. 𝑥 2 = 7𝑦

5. 𝑥 2 + 1 = 𝑦

II. Write the equation of the parabola in standard form.

6. 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 𝑦 + 11 = 0

7. 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 3 = 0

8. 𝑦 2 − 6𝑥 − 𝑦 + 11 = 0

9. 𝑦 2 − 6𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 3 = 0

10. 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 3 = 0

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 All Rights Reserved
2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
CAROLINA S. VIOLETA EdD
Schools Division Superintendent

CECILIA E. VALDERAMA PhD

Asst. Schools Division Superintendent

DOMINADOR M. CABRERA PhD

Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division

EDWARD C. JIMENEZ PhD

Education Program Supervisor- LR Manager

JOCELYN A. MANALAYSAY PhD

Education Program Supervisor-Mathematics

MYRA N. CAYABYAB
Developer/Writer