2.

3 Conic Sections – Parabola

Standard Form of a Parabola:

4p = Latus Rectum = focal diameter of the parabola

Ex. Graph ( x + 1) = −8 ( y − 3)
2

Vertical Parabola
Vertex: ( −1, 3)
p = -2
Focus: ( −1,1)
Directrix: y = 5
Ex. Consider the equation y 2 + 4 y + 8x = 4 . Put this equation into standard form and identify the
vertex, focus, directrix, and graph.

y 2 + 4y + 8x = 4

y 2 + 4y = −8x + 4
complete the square in y only
y 2 + 4y + 4 = −8x + 4 + 4
factor
( y + 2 )2 = −8x + 8
( y + 2 )2 = −8 ( x + 1)

Vertex: (1,−2 )
Focus: ( −1,−2 )
Directrix: x = 3

Ex. A satellite dish is to be constructed in the shape of a paraboloid of revolution. If the receiver
placed at the focus is located 2 ft above the vertex of the dish, how deep will the dish be?

Use (0, 0) as the vertex, (6, y) a point on the parabola, p = 2, and plug into the standard form of a
vertical parabola.
( x − 0 )2 = 4 p ( y − 0 )
x2 = 4 (2) y

( 6 )2 = 8y
36
=y
8
9
= y = 4.5
2
In Exercises 1-8, sketch the graph of the given parabola. Find the vertex, focus, and directrix. Include
the endpoints of the latus rectum in your sketch.
2
⎛ 8⎞ ⎛ 9⎞
1. ( x − 3) = −16y
2
2. ⎜ x + ⎟ = 4 ⎜ y + ⎟
⎝ 5⎠ ⎝ 4⎠

3. ( y − 8 ) = −10 ( x + 7 ) 4. ( y + 4 ) = 4x
2 2

5. ( x − 4 ) = 2 ( y + 6 ) 6. ( x + 1) = −30 ( y − 4 )
2 2

2
⎛ 2⎞ ⎛ 2⎞
7. ( y − 1) = 24 ( x − 3)
2
8. ⎜ y + ⎟ = −8 ⎜ x + ⎟
⎝ 3⎠ ⎝ 9⎠

In Exercises 9-14, put the equation into standard form and identify the vertex, focus, and directrix.

9. y 2 − 6y − 36x + 117 = 0 10. 2x 2 + 4x + 3y − 4 = 0

11. x 2 + 6x − 9y + 81 = 0 12. 4y 2 + 8y + 2x − 10 = 0

101
13. x − 8x + 6y + 4 = 0 14. 3y − 30y + 2x + 2 = 0
2 2

In Exercises 15-18, find an equation for the parabola which fits the given criteria.

15. Vertex (3,0), focus (0,0) 16. Focus (12,3), directrix x=6

17. Vertex (-8,-9); (0,0) and (-16,0) 18. The endpoints of latus rectum are (2,9)
are points on the curve and (6,9)

19. The mirror in Alan’s flashlight is a paraboloid of revolution. If the mirror is 8 centimeters in
diameter and 4.5 centimeters deep, where should the light bulb be placed so it is at the focus of the
mirror?

20. A parabolic TV antenna is constructed by taking a flat sheet of metal and bending it into a
parabolic shape. If the cross of the antenna is a parabola which is 50 centimeters wide and 30
centimeters deep, where shoul dthe receiver be placed to maximize reception?

21. A parabolic arch is constructed which is 8 feet wide at the base and 13 feet tall in the middle. Find
the height of the arch exactly 2 feet in from the base of the arch.
Selected Answers:

1. ( x − 3) = −16y 3. ( y − 8 ) = −10 ( x + 7 )
2 2

5. ( x − 4 ) = 2 ( y + 6 ) 7. ( y − 4 ) = 24 ( x − 3)
2 2

9. 11.
y 2 − 6y − 36x + 117 = 0 x 2 + 6x − 9y + 81 = 0
y 2 − 6y + 32 = 36x − 117 + 9 x 2 + 6x + 32 = 9y − 81+ 9
(y − 3)2 = 36x − 108 (x + 3)2 = 9y − 72
(y − 3)2 = 36(x − 3) (x + 3)2 = 9(y − 8)
Vertex: (3,3) Vertex: (-3,8)
41
Focus: (12,3) Focus: (−3, )
4
23
Directrix: x=-6 Directrix: y =
4
13.
x 2 − 8x + 6y + 4 = 0
x 2 − 8x + 4 2 = −6y − 4 + 16
(x − 4)2 = −6y + 12
(x − 4)2 = −6(y − 2)
Vertex: (4,2)
1
Focus: (4, )
2
7
Directrix: y = 2

64
15. y = −12(x − 3) 17. (x + 8)2 = (y + 9)
2

19. If the Vertex is the origin, (0,0), then the light bulb should be placed at (0,4.5).

168
21. The height of the arch 2 feet in from the base of the arch is ≈ 12.92 feet.
13