Section 9.

3
The Parabola

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Objectives:

• Graph parabolas with vertices at the origin.

• Write equations of parabolas in standard form.
• Graph parabolas with vertices not at the origin.
• Solve applied problems involving parabolas.

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Definition of a Parabola

A parabola is the set of all points in a plane that are

equidistant from a fixed line, the directrix, and a fixed
point, the focus, that is not on the line.

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Standard Forms of the Equations of a Parabola

The standard form of the equation of a parabola with

vertex at the origin is
y2 = 4px or x2 = 4py

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Example: Finding the Focus and Directrix of a Parabola

Find the focus and directrix of the parabola given by

y2 = 8x. Then graph the parabola.
The given equation, y2 = 8x, is in the standard form
y2 = 4px, so 4p = 8.
4p = 8
p=2
Because p is positive, the parabola, with its x-axis
symmetry, opens to the right. The focus is 2 units to the
right of the vertex, (0, 0). The focus is (2, 0).

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Example: Finding the Focus and Directrix of a Parabola
(continued)

Find the focus and directrix of the parabola given by

y2 = 8x. Then graph the parabola.
The focus is (2, 0) and directrix, x = – 2.
To graph the parabola, we will use two points on the
graph that are directly above and below the focus.
Because the focus is at (2, 0), substitute 2 for x in the
parabola’s equation, y2 = 8x.
y 2  8x y 2  16 The points on the parabola
above and below the focus
y 8 2
2
y   16  4
are (2, 4) and (2, –4).
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Example: Finding the Focus and Directrix of a Parabola
(continued)

Find the focus and directrix of the parabola given by

y2 = 8x. Then graph the parabola.

The focus is (2, 0).

The directrix is x = –2.

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The Latus Rectum and Graphing Parabolas

The latus rectum of a parabola is a line segment that

passes through its focus, is parallel to its directrix, and has
its endpoints on the parabola. The length of the latus
rectum for the graphs of y2 = 4px and x2 = 4py is 4 p .

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Example: Finding the Equation of a Parabola from Its
Focus and Directrix

Find the standard form of the equation of a parabola

with focus (8, 0) and directrix x = –8.
The focus, (8, 0), is on the x-axis. We use the standard
form of the equation in which there is x-axis symmetry,
y2 = 4px.
The focus is 8 units to the right of the vertex, (0, 0).
Thus, p is positive and p = 8.
y  4 px
2
The equation of the parabola
y 2  4 8 x  32 x is y2 = 32x.

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Example: Finding the Equation of a Parabola from Its
Focus and Directrix (continued)

Find the standard form of the equation of a parabola

with focus (8, 0) and directrix x = –8.

The equation of the parabola

is y2 = 32x.

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Translations of Parabolas – Standard Forms of Equations
of Parabolas with Vertex (h, k)

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Example: Graphing a Parabola with Vertex at (h, k)

Find the vertex, focus, and directrix of the parabola

given by ( x  2)2  4( y  1). Then graph the parabola.
The equation is in the form ( x  h)2  4 p( y  k ).
The vertex is (2, –1).
4p = 4, p = 1
The focus is located 1 unit above the vertex of (2, –1).
Focus: (h, k  p)  (2, 1  1)  (2,0)
The directrix is located 2 units below the vertex.
Directrix: y  k  p y  1  1  2
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Example: Graphing a Parabola with Vertex at (h, k)

Find the vertex, focus, and directrix of the parabola

given by ( x  2)2  4( y  1). Then graph the parabola.

The vertex is (2, –1).

The focus is (2, 0).
The directrix is y = –2.

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Example: Application

An engineer is designing a flashlight using a parabolic

reflecting mirror and a light source. The casting has a
diameter of 6 inches and a depth of 4 inches.
What is the equation of the
parabola used to shape the mirror?
6 inches
At what point should the light
source be placed relative to the 4 inches

mirror’s vertex?

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Example: Application
(continued)

We position the parabola with its vertex at the origin

and opening upward.
 (3,4)

6 inches
4 inches
4 inches

6 inches
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Example: Application
(continued)

The focus is on the y-axis, located at (0, p).

The form of the equation is x  4 py.
2

The point (3, 4) lies on the parabola.

 (3,4)
To find p, we let x = 3 and y = 4.
3  4p 4
2

9  16 p
9
p
16

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Example: Application
(continued)
9
We substitute in x 2  4 py to obtain the standard
16
form of the equation of the parabola.
9 9
x 4 y
2
x  y
2

16 4
The equation of the parabola used to shape the mirror is
9
x  y.
2

4
 9
The light source should be placed at  0,  or
9
 16  16
inches above the vertex.

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