PRECALCULUS

Instructor:
Jerizza May B. Bulahan
 Module 1:
Conic Sections
Lesson 1.2

The Parabola
Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Define a parabola;
2. Determine the standard equation of a parabola;
3. Sketch the graph of the parabola in a rectangular
coordinate system; and
4. Solve situational problem applications involving
parabolas.
Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

The graph of a quadratic equation is a parabola opening upward or

downward. Can you graph the quadratic function described below?
Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

Parabola

• is the locus of points (x,y) in the plane that is equidistant from a fixed-line D and a fixed
point F not on the line

The fixed line is called the directrix

The fixed point is called the focus
The vertex is the point halfway between
the focus and the directrix
The line that passed through the focus, and
perpendicular to the directrix, is called the
axis of the parabola or axis of symmetry
Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

Parabola

Forms of a Parabola:
1. Parabola opening to the right
2. Parabola opening to the left
3. Parabola opening upward
4. Parabola opening downward
Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

Consider a parabola with focus F(0,c) and directrix l having equation y = –c,
The focus and directrix are c units above and below the origin, respectively.
Let P(x,y) be a point on the parabolas so where is the point closest to P.
The point P has to be on the same side of the directrix as the focus

Figure 14. Parabola opening upward and downward

Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

Suppose the focus is F(0, –c), and then directrix is y = c.

Figure 14. Parabola opening upward and downward

Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

(1)vertex: origin 𝑉(0, 0)

 If the parabola is opening upward, the vertex is the lowest point. On the other
hand, if it opens downward, the vertex is the highest point.
(2) directrix: the line 𝑦=−𝑐 or 𝑦=𝑐
 The directrix is 𝑐 units below or above the vertex.

(3) focus: 𝐹(0, 𝑐) or 𝐹(0, −𝑐)

 The focus is 𝑐 units above or below the

vertex.
 Any point on the parabola is equidistant

from the focus as it is from the directrix. Figure 14. Parabola opening upward and downward
Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

(4) the axis of symmetry: 𝑥=0 (the y-axis)

 The axis of symmetry divides the parabola into two equal parts, which are
mirror images of each other.

Figure 14. Parabola opening upward and downward

Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

NOTE: For parabola that opens to the right or to the left (see Figure below):
 The coordinates of the focus are or , respectively;
 The directrix is the line or , respectively; and
 The standard equation is or , respectively.
Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

More Properties of Parabola

Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

Summary of the Properties of Parabola

Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

Summary of the Properties of Parabola

Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

Standard Equation of Parabola

Vertex @ (0,0) Vertex @ (h,k)
Upward C>0 x²=4cy (x-h)²=4c(y-k)

Downward C<0 x²=-4cy (x-h)²=-4c(y-k)

To the Right C>0 y²=4cx (y-k)²=4c(x-h)

(y-k)²=-4c(x-h)
To the Left C>0 y²=-4cx
Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

General Equation of a Parabola

The standard equation of the parabola when expanded gives us the general
equation
(right or left opening) and
(upward or downward opening),
with A, B, D, E, F are real numbers, and with A and B
not equal to zero.
Lesson 1.2: The Parabola

General Equation of a Parabola

The standard equation of the parabola when expanded gives us the general
equation
By 2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 (right or left opening) and
Ax 2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 (upward or downward opening),
with A, B, D, E, F are real numbers, and with A and B
not equal to zero.
• Example 1.4. Determine the focus, directrix, and the axis of symmetry of the
following with the given equations of the parabola. Sketch its graph, and
indicate its focus, directrix, and vertex.
• a. 𝑥2=12𝑦
Lesson 1.2: The Parabola
Lesson 1.2: The Parabola
Lesson 1.2: The Parabola
 Thank you
and
God Bless 