Graphs and Properties of Parabolas

How is the light from a

spotlight different
from the light emitted
by a light bulb?

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Spotlights are made
with paraboloid
mirrors.

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The light rays from
the focus bounce
off the paraboloid
mirror in almost
parallel rays
causing the
concentrated
beam of light.
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What are the properties that
you need to graph a parabola?

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 Recall: Definition of a Parabola

A parabola is the set of y

all points in a plane that
are equidistant from a
fixed line called the parabola
directrix and a fixed focus

point not on the line x

called the focus.
directrix

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Recall: Other Parts and Properties of a Parabola

line that divides a parabola

Axis of into two equal parts
y symmetry

(h ,𝑘) Vertex x

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Recall: Other Parts and Properties of a Parabola

distance from the vertex to

c focal distance the focus or to the directrix;
x also equal to
c

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Recall: Other Parts and Properties of a Parabola

• line segment
• connects two points of the parabola
• passes through the focus
latus • parallel to the directrix
rectum • length:

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 Recall: Other Parts and Properties of a Parabola

The general form of the equation of the parabola

depends on the axis of symmetry.

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 Recall: Other Parts and Properties of a Parabola

For parabolas with vertical axes, the general form of the

equation of a parabola is , where , , , and are real
numbers. Also, and are nonzero.

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 Recall: Other Parts and Properties of a Parabola

For parabolas with horizontal axes, the general form of

the equation of a parabola is , where , , , and are real
numbers. Also, and are nonzero.

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 Graph and Properties of Parabolas

Depending on the form of the equation of the parabola,

we can determine some of the properties of the
parabola with vertex at .

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 Graph and Properties of Parabolas

Equation:

Opening: upward
Focus:
Directrix:

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 Graph and Properties of Parabolas

Equation:

Opening: downward
Focus:
Directrix:

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 Graph and Properties of Parabolas

Equation:

Opening: to the right

Focus:
Directrix:

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 Graph and Properties of Parabolas

Equation:

Opening: to the left

Focus:
Directrix:

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 Graph and Properties of Parabolas

Here are other important parts and properties of a

parabola.

a. The vertex of a parabola is at .

b. The axis of symmetry or axis of the parabola is a line

that divides the parabola into two equal parts. It
passes through the focus and the vertex.

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 Graph and Properties of Parabolas

c. The focal distance is the distance from the vertex to

the focus. It is also the distance from the vertex to
the directrix.

d. The latus rectum is a line segment connecting two

points of the parabola, passing through the focus
and parallel to the directrix. The length of the latus
rectum is .

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Where does the graph of the parabola given by the
equation open?

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Where does the graph of the parabola given by the
equation open?

The graph opens to the right.

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Where does the graph of the parabola
given by the equation open?

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What is the length of the latus rectum of the
parabola given by the equation ?

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What is the length of the latus rectum of the
parabola given by the equation ?

The length of the latus rectum is units.

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What is the length of the latus rectum of
the parabola given by the equation ?

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Identify the opening, vertex, focus, directrix, and
length of the latus rectum of the parabola given by
the equation .

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Identify the opening, vertex, focus, directrix, and
length of the latus rectum of the parabola given by
the equation .

Opens upward
vertex at
focus at
directrix is
length of latus rectum units.
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Identify the opening, vertex, focus,
directrix, and length of the latus rectum
of the parabola given by the equation .

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 Graphing Parabolas

To graph parabolas, we can follow these steps:

● Identify its parts and properties.

● Plot the focus, directrix, vertex, and the
endpoints of the latus rectum on the coordinate
plane.
● Sketch the graph based on its parts and
properties.

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Graphing the Latus Rectum
The length of the latus rectum is .

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For a vertical parabola, the endpoints of
the latus rectum are units to the left and
the right of the focus.

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For a horizontal parabola, the endpoints
of the latus rectum are units above and
below the focus.

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What is the relationship
between the length of the latus
rectum and the focal distance?

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Graph the parabola with focus at , and whose
directrix is given by the equation .

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Graph the parabola with focus at , and whose
directrix is given by the equation .

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Graph the parabola with focus at and
whose directrix is given by the equation .

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Graph the parabola that opens downward, and
whose endpoints of the latus rectum are at and .

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Graph the parabola that opens downward, and
whose endpoints of the latus rectum are at and .

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Graph the parabola that opens to the
right, and whose endpoints of the latus
rectum are at and .

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Graph the parabola given by the equation
.

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Graph the parabola given by the equation
.

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Graph the parabola given by the
equation .

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Complete the table below by finding the parts and
properties of a parabola given the following data.

Focal Endpoints of
Focus Opening Vertex Directrix
Distance Latus Rectum

1. upward

2. right and

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Identify the opening, vertex, length of the latus
rectum, focal distance, focus, endpoints of the latus
rectum, and directrix of the following parabola given
its equation. Then, graph the parabola.

1. The equation of the parabola is .

2. The equation of the parabola is .

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● A parabola is the set of all points in a plane that are
equidistant from a fixed line called the directrix and a
fixed point not on the line called the focus.

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● The standard form of the equation of the parabola with
vertex at depends on its opening.

Opening Standard Form of Equation

upward
downward
to the right
to the left
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● The general form of the equation of the parabola
depends on the axis of symmetry.

o For parabolas with vertical axes, the general form of

the equation is , where , , , and are real numbers
with and are nonzero.

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● The general form of the equation of the parabola
depends on the axis of symmetry.

o For parabolas with horizontal axes, the general form

of the equation is , where , , , and are real numbers
with and are nonzero.

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● The other important parts and properties of the
parabola are as follows:

o The vertex of the parabola is at .

o The axis of symmetry or axis of the parabola is a line

that divides the parabola into two equal parts. It
passes through the focus and the vertex.

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o The focal distance is the distance from the vertex
to the focus. It is also the distance from the
vertex to the directrix.

o The latus rectum is a line segment connecting

tow points of the parabola, passing through the
focus and parallel to the directrix. The length of
the latus rectum is .
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● To sketch the graph of a parabola, we can follow
these steps:

o Determine its parts and properties.

o Graph the focus, vertex, directrix, and
endpoints of the latus rectum.
o Draw a curve that passes through the vertex
and the endpoints of the latus rectum.
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What is the general form of the
equation of the parabola below?

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