How to Write the Equation of Parabola?
In this article, you will learn how to write the equation of a parabola in standard form.
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A parabola is a U-shaped line or curve that is defined as a locus of points that the distance to a fixed point (the focus) and a fixed straight line (the directrix) are equal.
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Step by Step Guide to Write the Equation of Parabola
- The standard form of Parabola when it opens up or down is \((x- h)^2= 4p(y-k)\), where the vertex is \(h, k\), the focus is \(h,k+p\) and the directrix is \(y=k-p\).
- The standard form of Parabola when it opens right or left is \((y-k)^2= 4p(x-h)\), where the vertex is \(h, k\), the focus is \(h+p,k\) and the directrix is \(x=h-p\).
Equation of Parabola – Example 1:
Write the equation of the parabola with vertex \((1, 4)\) and focus \((0, 6)\)
Solution:
The standard form of Parabola is \((x- h)^2= 4p(y-k)\).
Vertex is \((1, 4)\) then: \(h=1, k=4\)
Focus is \((0, 6)=(h, k+p)\), then: \(k+p=6, k=4 → 4+p=6 →p=2 \)
Plugin the values in the equation: \((x- 1)^2= 4(2)(y-4)\)
Then: \((x- 1)^2= 8(y-4)\)
Exercises for Writing Equation of Parabola
Write the equation of each Parabola.
- Vertex \((2, 5)\) and focus \((2, 7)\)
- Vertex \((3, 0)\) and focus \((5, 0)\)
- Vertex \((-1, 2)\) and focus \((-1, 0)\)
- Vertex \((0, 3)\) and focus \((-3, 3)\)
- \(\color{blue}{(x-2)^2=8(y-5)}\)
- \(\color{blue}{y^2=8(x-3)}\)
- \(\color{blue}{(x+1)^2=-8(y-2)}\)
- \(\color{blue}{(y-3)^2=-12x}\)
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