Real-life

Problem
involving Parabola
 Problem 1

A satellite dish has a shape called paraboloid, where each cross-

section is a parabola. Since radio signals (parallel to the x axis)
will bounce off the surface of the dish to the focus, the receiver
should be placed at the focus. How far should the x2=receiver
4py be
from the vertex, if the dish is 12 ft across and 4.5 6ft2 =deep at the
4p (4.5)
vertex? 36 = 18p
2=p

Thus the receiver should be 2 feet above the vertex.

 Problem 2

A bridge shaped like a parabolic arch has a horizontal distance

of 20 feet. The center and highest point of the arch is 5 feet
above the ground. What is the height of the bridge atFind
a point 5
the height of the
bridge at a point from
(0,5)
feet from
(-5,) the center? (5,)
the center:

5 feet Solve for p:

(-10,0) 5 feet 5 feet (10,0)

10 feet 20 feet 10 feet

Standard Equation:
Problem 3: Do this!

A satellite dish shaped like a paraboloid, has

diameter 2.4 ft and depth 0.9 ft. If the receiver is
placed at the focus, how(1.2,0.9) x 2
far should the receiver= 4py be
from the vertex? 1.2 2
= 4p (0.9)
1.44 = 3.6p
0.4 = p
-1.2 1.2
The receiver should be 0.4
feet above the vertex