Definition of PARABOLA

- a PARABOLA is an open curve

defined as the locus of all points,
each of which is equidistant from a
fixed point known as the focus F and
a fixed line known as the directrix.
 The vertex V of the parabola is the
turning point of the curve, and
collinear with it is the focus F.

The line that connects the vertex and

the focus is the axis of symmetry of the
parabola.
The line segment through the focus
that intersects the parabola is
called the latus rectum. It is always
perpendicular to axis of symmetry
and parallel to the directrix
The constant 4a is the total length
of the latus rectum. The focus and
the vertex are a units apart.
Coincidentally, the vertex and the
directrix are also a units apart.
 The standard form of a parabola
with vertex at (h, k) is given by.
𝟐
(𝒚 − 𝒌) = 𝟒𝒂(𝒙 − 𝒉)
If the parabola opens to the left or to the right

𝟐
(𝒙 − 𝒉) = 𝟒𝒂(𝒚 − 𝒌)
If the parabola opens upwards or downwards
Characteristics of parabolas with
vertex at (0, 0)
VERTEX (0, 0) PARABOLA WITH
HORIZONTAL AXIS
PARABOLA WITH
VERTICAL AXIS OF
OF SYMMETRY SYMMETRY
EQUATION 2
𝑦 = 4𝑎𝑥 2
𝑥 = 4𝑎𝑥
FOCUS (a, 0) (0, a)
 VERTEX PARABOLA WITH
HORIZONTAL AXIS OF
PARABOLA WITH
VERTICAL AXIS OF
(0, 0) SYMMETRY SYMMETRY
OPENING OF If a < 0, parabola If a < 0,
PARABOLA opens to the left parabola
opens
downward
If a > 0, parabola If a < 0,
opens to the parabola
right opens upward
 VERTEX PARABOLA WITH
HORIZONTAL AXIS OF
PARABOLA WITH
VERTICAL AXIS OF
(0, 0) SYMMETRY SYMMETRY
LATUS RECTUM EQUATION: EQUATION:
X= + a y= + a
Direction: Direction:
vertical Horizontal
Length 4a Length 4a
Endpoints: Endpoints:
(a, + 2a) (2a, + a)
 VERTEX PARABOLA WITH
HORIZONTAL AXIS OF
PARABOLA WITH
VERTICAL AXIS OF
(0, 0) SYMMETRY SYMMETRY
AXIS OF Equation: y = k Equation: x = h
SYMMETRY Direction: Direction:
Horizontal Vertical
DIRECTRIX Equation: x = -a Equation: y = -a
Direction: Direction:
Vertical Horizontal
Find the coordinates of the focus
and the equation of the directrix for
each parabola
𝟐
𝟏. 𝒚 = 𝟐𝟖𝒙 3. 𝒙 − 𝒚 = 𝟎
𝟐

2. 𝒚 = −𝟏𝟔𝒙
𝟐 4. 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓𝒚 = 𝟎
𝟐
Write the equation of the parabola that
satisfies the given conditions. Draw the
parabola, its focus and directrix
1. The focus has coordinates (5, 0)
2. The equation of the directrix is x-3=0
3. The length of the latus rectum is 6 and
the parabola opens upward.
4. The parabola contains the point (2, -6)
and opens downward
Find the coordinates of the FOCUS and the
DIRECTRIX for each parabola. Draw the graph.
𝟐
𝟏. 𝒚 = 𝟏𝟎𝒙 2. 𝒙 − 𝟔𝒚 = 𝟎
𝟐

Write the EQUATION of the parabola that

satisfies the given conditions.
1. The focus has coordinates (0, 6)
2. The equation of the directrix is y-5=0
3. The length of the latus rectum is -16 and the
parabola opens downward.
4. The parabola contains the point (8, -16) and
opens downward