Conic Section: Parabola

What is Parabola?
 A parabola is a set of all coplanar points that are equidistant from a fixed
line and a fixed point not on the fixed line.

Directrix (d) – the fixed line d corresponding

to the focus
Focus (F) – the fixed point of the conic
Axis of symmetry
 the line perpendicular to the directrix and
passing through the focus F.
Latus Rectum
 the chord that passes through the focus
and perpendicular to the axis of
symmetry.
Vertex
 the point on the parabola midway between the latus rectum and the directrix.
 is the point where the curve changes direction.

Parabola with Focus at (p,0)

Vertex: (0,0) Parabola with horizontal axis of symmetry

Equation 𝑦 2 = 4𝑝𝑥

Focus (p,0)

Opening of If p<0, parabola opens to the left.

Parabola If p>0, parabola opens to the right
Latus Rectum Equation: x = ±p
Direction: Vertical
Length: 4p
Endpoints: (p, ±2p)
Axis of Symmetry Equation: y = k
Direction: Horizontal
Directrix Equation: x = -p
Drection: Vertical

p>0 p<0
Example 1: Find the coordinates of the focus and the equation of the directrix for
each parabola. Draw the parabola, its focus and directrix.

a) 𝑦 2 = 28𝑥

b) 𝑦 2 = −16𝑥

Solution:

a) 𝑦 2 = 28𝑥 Directrix: (x, 0)

x = −𝑝
Focus: (p,0)
x = −7
𝑦 2 = 4𝑝𝑥 Diretrix: (−7,0)

28𝑥 = 4𝑝𝑥
Endpoints of Latus Rectum:
28𝑥 4𝑝𝑥
= (p, ±2p)
4𝑥 4𝑥

7=𝑝 (p,2p) (p,-2p)

𝑝=7 (7,2(7)) (7,-2(7))

Focus: (7,0) (7,14) (7,-14)

Endpoints of Latus Rectum:

(7,14);(7,-14)

Solution:
Directrix: (x, 0)
2
b) 𝑦 = −16𝑥 x = −𝑝
x = −(−4)
Focus: (p,0) 𝑥=4
Diretrix: (4,0)
𝑦 2 = 4𝑝𝑥

−16𝑥 = 4𝑝𝑥 Endpoints of Latus Rectum:

−16𝑥 4𝑝𝑥 (p, ±2p)
=
4𝑥 4𝑥
(p,2p) (p,-2p)
−4 = 𝑝
(-4,2(-4)) (-4,-2(-4))
𝑝 = −4
(-4,-8) (-4,8)
Focus: (-4,0)
Endpoints of Latus Rectum:
(-4,-8);(-4,8)
Parabola with Focus at (0,p)

Vertex: (0,0) Parabola with horizontal axis of symmetry

Equation 𝑥 2 = 4𝑝𝑦
Focus (0,p)

Opening of Parabola If p<0, parabola opens downward.

If p>0, parabola opens upward.
Latus Rectum Equation: y = ±p
Direction: Horizontal
Length: 4p
Endpoints: (±2p, p)
Axis of Symmetry Equation: x = h
Direction: Vertical
Directrix Equation: y = -p
Drection: Horizontal

p>0 p<0
Example 2: Find the coordinates of the focus and the equation of the directrix for
each parabola. Draw the parabola, its focus and directrix.

a) 𝑥 2 = −10𝑦

b) 𝑥 2 − 8𝑦 = 0

Solution

a) 𝑥 2 = −10𝑦

Focus: (0,p)

𝑥 2 = 4𝑝𝑦

−10𝑦 = 4𝑝𝑦
 −10𝑦 4𝑝𝑦
4𝑦
=
4𝑦
Directrix: (0, y) Endpoints of Latus Rectum: (±2p, p)
𝑦 = −𝑝 (2p,p) (-2p, p)
−5 −5 −5 −5 −5 −5
=𝑝 y = −( ) (2( ), ) (-2( ), )
2
2 2 2 2 2
5 −5 −5
−5 y= (-5, ) (2, )
𝑝= 2 2 2
2 5 Endpoints of Latus Rectum:
−5
Diretrix: (0, ) −5 −5
Focus: (0, ) 2 (-5, ); (5, )
2 2 2

Solution
Directrix: (0, y)
b) 𝑥 2 − 8𝑦 = 0
𝑦 = −𝑝
𝑥 2 = 8𝑦 y = −(2)
Focus: (0,p) y = −2
Diretrix: (0, −2)
𝑥 2 = 4𝑝𝑦
8𝑦 = 4𝑝𝑦 Endpoints of Latus Rectum:
8𝑦 4𝑝𝑦 (±2p, p)
= (2p,p) (-2p, p)
4𝑦 4𝑦
(2(2),2) (-2(2),2)
2=𝑝
(4,2) (-4,2)
𝑝=2 Endpoints of Latus Rectum:
Focus: (0,2) (4,2); (-4,2)

Parabola with Vertex at (h,k)

 The vertex of a parabola in standard position can be translated to another point,

say (h,k) by introducing another pair of perpendicular lines parallel to the x- and
y-axes.

The standard form of the equation of a parabola with vertex at (h, k) and focus at
(ℎ + 𝑝, 𝑘) is:
 The standard form of the equation of a parabola with vertex at (h, k) and focus at
(ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑝) is:

For parabola with vertex at (h, k) the following characteristics can be derived:

Vertex (h,k) Parabola with horizontal axis of Parabola with vertical axis of
symmetry symmetry

Equation (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 4𝑝(𝑥 − ℎ) (𝑥 − ℎ)2 = 4𝑝(𝑦 − 𝑘)

Focus (ℎ + 𝑝, 𝑘) (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑝)

Opening of If p < 0, parabola opens to the left If p < 0, parabola opens downward.
Parabola If p > 0, parabola opens to the right If p > 0, parabola opens upward.

Latus Rectum Equation: x = h + p Equation: y = k + p

Direction: Vertical Direction: Horizontal
Length: 4p Length: 4p
Endpoints: Endpoints:
(ℎ+𝑝,𝑘±2𝑝) (ℎ±2𝑝,𝑘±𝑝)

Axis of Equation: y = k Equation: x = h

Symmetry Direction: Direction: Vertical
Horizontal

Directrix Equation: x = h – p Equation: y = k – p

Direction: Vertical Direction: Horizontal

 The equations (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 4𝑝(𝑥 − ℎ) and (𝑥 − ℎ)2 = 4𝑝(𝑦 − 𝑘) can be

manipulated algebraically and yield the equivalent equations in general form 𝑦 2 +
𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0 and 𝑥 2 + 𝐷𝑦 + 𝐸𝑥 + 𝐹 = 0 respectively.

Example: Write the equation of the parabola in general form that satisfies the given
conditions. Draw the parabola, its focus and directix.

a) The vertex is at (−2,3) and focus is at (−4,3).

b) The vertex is at (3, −5) and the directrix is 𝑦 + 8 = 0.

Solution:
a) The vertex is at (−𝟐, 𝟑) and focus is at (−𝟒, 𝟑).
𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑥 = (ℎ, 𝑘) = (−2,3)
h = -2; k = 3
𝐹𝑜𝑐𝑢𝑠 = (ℎ + 𝑝, 𝑘) = (−4,3)
h+p = -4
(-2)+p=-4
p = -4+2
p = -2
General Form:
(𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 4𝑝(𝑥 − ℎ)
(𝑦 − 3)2 = 4(−2)(𝑥 − (−2))
𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 + 9 = −8(𝑥 + 2)
𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 + 9 = −8𝑥 − 16
𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 + 8𝑥 + 16 + 9 = 0
𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 + 8𝑥 + 25 = 0

b) The vertex is at (𝟑, −𝟓) and the directrix is 𝒚 + 𝟖 = 𝟎.

𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑥 = (ℎ, 𝑘) = (3, −5)
h = 3; k = -5
𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑥: 𝑦 = 𝑘 − 𝑝
𝑦+8=0
𝑦 = −8

𝑦 =𝑘−𝑝
−8 = (−5) − 𝑝
−8 + 5 = −𝑝
−1(−3) = (−𝑝) −1
3=𝑝
p=3

General Form:
(𝑥 − ℎ)2 = 4𝑝(𝑦 − 𝑘)
(𝑦 − 3)2 = 4(3)(𝑥 − (−5))
𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 + 9 = 12(𝑥 + 5)
𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 + 9 = 12𝑥 + 60
𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 − 12𝑥 + 9 − 60 = 0
𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 − 12𝑥 − 51 = 0

HOW TO CONVERT PARABOLIC EQUATIONS TO THE STANDARD FORM

 if you want to convert the equation x2 + 10x – 2y + 23 = 0 into the
standard form, you perform the following steps, which contain a
method called completing the square (a method you use to solve
quadratic equations):

1. Rewrite the equation with the x2 and x terms (or the y2 and y terms)
on one side of the equation and the rest of the terms on the other
side.
x2 + 10x = 2y – 23
2. Add a number to each side to make the side with the squared term into
a perfect square trinomial (thus completing the square).

 In this case, you add 25 to each side. x + 10x + 25 = 2y – 23 + 25

2

simplifies to :

x2+ 10x + 25 = 2y + 2.
3.Rewrite the perfect square trinomial in factored form, and factor the terms
on the other side by the coefficient of the variable.

(x + 5)2 = 2(y + 1) - Standard form

4p=2
4𝑝 2
=
4 4
1
𝑝=
2

(𝑥 − ℎ)2 = 4𝑝(𝑦 − 𝑘)
1
(𝑥 − (−5))2 = 4( )(𝑦 − (−1))
2
h=-5
k=-1
1
𝑝=
2

Example: Express each equation of the parabola in standard form. Then,

give the coordinates of the vertex, the focus, and the endpoints of the latus
rectum. Draw the parabola, its focus, and directrix.
𝑎) 𝑦 2 − 12𝑦 − 4𝑥 + 28 = 0
b) 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 13 = 0

Solution
𝑎) 𝑦 2 − 12𝑦 − 4𝑥 + 28 = 0
(𝑦 2 − 12𝑦) = 4𝑥 − 28
(𝑦 2 − 12𝑦 + 36) = 4𝑥 − 28 + 36
(𝑦 − 6)2 = 4𝑥 + 8
(𝑦 − 6)2 = 4(𝑥 + 2) – Standard Form
4𝑝 = 4
4𝑝 4 𝐹𝑜𝑐𝑢𝑠: (ℎ + 𝑝, 𝑘) 𝐸𝑛𝑑𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑚:
= (ℎ + 𝑝, 𝑘 ± 2𝑝)
4 4 𝐹(−2 + 1,6)
𝑝=1
𝑘=6 𝐹(1,6) (−2 + 1,6 + 2(1))
ℎ = −2 (−1,8)
𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑥: (ℎ, 𝑘)
𝑉(−2,6) (−2 + 1,6 − 2(1))
(−1,4)
𝐷𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑥: 𝑥 = −𝑝
𝑥 = −1
𝑏) 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 13 = 0
(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥) = 4𝑦 − 13
(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1) = 4𝑦 − 13 + 1
(𝑥 − 1)2 = 4𝑦 − 12
(𝑥 − 1)2 = 4(𝑦 − 3) – Standard form
4𝑝 = 4
4𝑝 4 𝐹𝑜𝑐𝑢𝑠: (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑝)
= 𝐸𝑛𝑑𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑚:
4 4
𝑝=1 𝐹(1,3 + 1) (ℎ ± 2𝑝, 𝑘 + 𝑝)
ℎ=1
𝑘=3 𝐹(1,4) (ℎ + 2𝑝, 𝑘 + 𝑝)
𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑥: (ℎ, 𝑘) (1 + 2(1), 3 + 1)
𝑉(1,3) (3,4)

𝐷𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑥: 𝑦 = −𝑝 (ℎ − 2𝑝, 𝑘 + 𝑝)
𝑦 = −1 (1 − 2(1), 3 + 1)
(−1,4)