Conic Sections:

PARABOL
A Pre-Calculus
 GEOGEBRA TIME!
Copy the given equations and write a check mark (✓) before
the number if the following equations represent a Parabola;
otherwise, write a cross mark(x).

________1. x = -16y
2

________2. -4x + y + 8x -20y -4 = 0

2 2

________3. y + 8x =0
2

________4. (x+1) = 4(y-3)

2

________ 5. (x-4) + (y-2) = 25

2 2
OBJECTIVES:
a) define a parabola and name the parts;
b) determine the standard or vertex form of the equation of
a parabola;
c) give real-life examples of objects or things with
parabolic shapes;
d) exhibit speed and accuracy in naming the different
parts of the parabola given the graph; and
e) manifest mastery and independence when
performing the different tasks
A parabola is formed by the
intersection of a plane with a
cone when the cone intersects
parallel to the slant height of
the cone.
 Definition of Parabola
A parabola is the locus of a variable point on a
plane so that its distance from a fixed point (the
focus) is equal to its distance from c fixed line
(the directrix x = - p).
On a cartesian plane, the set of points that describe a parabola
is defined using a point called the FOCUS and a line called the
DIRECTRIX.
The distance of a given point on the
parabola from the focus is equal to the
distance of that same point to the FOCUS

directrix.
When that point is the vertex that VERTEX

distance has a special significance.

It defines an important parameter
for the parabola known as ‘p’.
The distance from the focus to the
vertex or from the directrix to the
DIRECTRIX
vertex is ‘p’. This value plays a role in
defining the equation of the parabola.
 Parts of a Parabola
Focus - the fixed point of a parabola. Axis of Symmetry
Directrix - the fixed line of a parabola.
Axis of Symmetry – The line that Focus
Latus Rectum
goes through the focus and is
perpendicular to the directrix.
Vertex – the point of intersection
of the axis of symmetry and the
parabola.
Latus Rectum – the line
segment through the
Vertex Directrix
focus and parallel to the
directrix.
 Let’s make sure you’ve got it!

• A parabola is the set of all points in a

plane that are the same distance
from a fixed point (called the focus),
and a fixed line (called the directrix).
 Let’s make sure you’ve got it!

What relationship does the vertex have

with the focus and directrix?

• The vertex is the midpoint between the

focus and the directrix.
 Let’s make sure you’ve got it!

“p” is always the distance from the

focus to the vertex or the distance from
the vertex to the directrix.
Identify the parts of the Parabola.
Identify the parts of the Parabola.
The equation for a parabola with a vertex at the origin can have one of
two formats depending on whether it opens vertically or horizontally.

‘p’ is positive y = 4px

2
‘p’ is negative

p 4px p
4px

p p
p (p,
In other form p

-p)

‘p’ is negative

x = 4py
4py
2

‘p’ is positive p

p
 Equations and Graphs of Parabolas
Equation Vertex Focus Directrix LR Description
2
𝑦 =4 𝑝 𝑥 (0 , 0) (𝑝 , 0) 𝑥=− 𝑎(p, 2p) 𝑆𝑦𝑚 : 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
(p, -2p) 𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑟𝑖𝑔h𝑡

2
𝑦 =− 4 𝑝 𝑥 (0 , 0) (− 𝑝,0) 𝑥=𝑎 (-p, 2p) 𝑆𝑦𝑚 : 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
(-p, -2p) 𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡
p p

p,

p,

px px
 Equations and Graphs of Parabolas
Equation Vertex Focus Directrix LR Description
2
𝑥 =4 𝑝 𝑦 (0 , 0 ) (0 ,𝑝 )𝑦 =− 𝑝 𝑆𝑦𝑚 : 𝑦 −𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
(2p, p)
(-2p, p) 𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑝

𝑥 =− 4 𝑝 𝑦 (0 , 0) (0 ,− 𝑝)𝑦 =𝑝 (2p, -p) 𝑆𝑦𝑚 : 𝑦 −𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠

2

(-2p, -p) 𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛

 p) p

p
p)

4py 4py
Given the equations of a parabola, solve for the
coordinates of the vertex, the opening of the
parabola, constant distance, equation of the
directrix, axis of symmetry, length and endpoints
of the latus rectum, and x and y-intercepts.

a. x = -2y
2

b. y = 2(x-5) +3
2
 EXAMPLES:

1. Given the V(0,0) and the F(4,0)

2. Given the V(0,0) and the F(-2,0)
3. Given the V(0,0) and the F(0,-2)
4. Given the V(0,0) and the F(0,4)
5. Given the V(0,0) and the directrix at x=-3
6. Given the V(0,0) and the directrix at x= -6
 EXAMPLES:

1. Given the equation y = 36x

2

2. Given the equation y = -16x

2

3. Given the equation x = -12y

2

4. Given the equation x = 28y

2
 Equations and Graphs of Parabolas
Equation Vertex Focus Directrix LR Description
𝑦 − 𝑘) =4 𝑝 (𝑥 − h)(h ,𝑘)(h +𝑝 )
,𝑘𝑥=h −𝑝 𝑆𝑦𝑚 : 𝒚 =𝒌
2

2p
𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑟𝑖𝑔h𝑡

2
( 𝑦 − 𝑘) =− 4 𝑝 ( 𝑥 − h) 𝑥 =h + 𝑝
(h ,𝑘) (h − 𝑝 , 𝑘) 𝑆𝑦𝑚 : 𝒚 =𝒌
𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡
 Equations and Graphs of Parabolas
Equation Vertex Focus Directrix LR Description
2
( 𝑥 − h) =4 𝑝 ( 𝑦 − 𝑘) (h ,𝑘) (h ,𝑘 +𝑝 )𝑦 =𝑘 −𝑝 𝑆𝑦𝑚 : 𝒙 = 𝒉
l2pl , k+p
𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑝

2
( 𝑥 − h) =− 4 𝑝 ( 𝑦 −𝑘) (h ,𝑘) (h ,𝑘 −𝑝)
𝑦 =𝑘 +𝑝 𝑆𝑦𝑚 : 𝒙=𝒉
𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛
 EXAMPLES:
Solve for the standard equation of the
parabola:
1. Given the vertex at (-6,-4) and focus at (-2,-
4)
2. Given the vertex at (-2,3) and focus at (1,3)
3 Given the vertex at (2,4) and focus at (4,4)
4. Given the vertex at (1,3) and focus at (1,5)
 EXAMPLES:
Solve for the standard equation of the
parabola:

1. With focus at (0,2) and directrix at y= -2

2. With focus at (-1,0) and directrix at x=1
3. With focus at (0,-4) and directrix at y=4
 EXAMPLES:

1. Identify the parts of the parabola with an

equation (𝑥−3) =12(𝑦−5).
2

2. Identify the parts of the parabola with an equation .

 EXAMPLES:
Identify the parts of the parabola given the
following equations.
1. Given the equation (y-2) = 4(x-1)
2

2. Given the equation (x-4) = 20 (y-3)

2

3. Given the equation (y+3) = -16 (x-2)

2

4. Given the equation (x+2) = 28 (y+5)

2
 PARABOLA
Worded Problems
Problem # 1 Illustration
The main cables of a suspension
bridge are 20 meters above the road
at the towers and 4 meters above the
road at the center. The distance
between the towers is 80 meters. The
main cables hang in the shape of a
parabola. Find the equation of the
parabola. Then, determine how high
the cable is if it is 20 meters from the
center.
 PARABOLA
Worded Problems
Problem # 2 Illustration

A car headlight mirror has a

parabolic cross section with
diameter of 6 in, and a depth of
5 in. How far from the vertex
should the bulb be positioned if it
is to be placed at the focus?