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Math B Reviewer Parabola

This document provides a review of parabolas including their parts, how to write the equation of a parabola with its vertex at (0,0), and examples of parabolas with their vertex at the origin. Specifically, it defines the focus, directrix, axis of symmetry, vertex, and latus rectum of parabolas. It then shows how to find these parts, the endpoints of the latus rectum, and its length for three example parabolas.

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38 views

Math B Reviewer Parabola

This document provides a review of parabolas including their parts, how to write the equation of a parabola with its vertex at (0,0), and examples of parabolas with their vertex at the origin. Specifically, it defines the focus, directrix, axis of symmetry, vertex, and latus rectum of parabolas. It then shows how to find these parts, the endpoints of the latus rectum, and its length for three example parabolas.

Uploaded by

rosa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MATH B REVIEWER

Parabola
This reviewer includes the:
- Parts of a parabola
- Writing equation of a parabola with vertex at (0,0)
- Examples of parabola with vertex at (0,0)
Parabola
- Set of points in a plane (x,y) that are equidistant from a fixed point (focus) and a
fixed line (Directrix)

Parts of parabola:
Focus
- The fixed point of a parabola
Directrix
- The fixed line of a parabola
Axis of symmetry (A.S.)
- The line that goes through the focus and is perpendicular to the directrix.
- Axis of symmetry could be a horizontal (right or left) or vertical (upward and
downard)
Vertex
- The point of intersection of the axis of symmetry and the parabola; Could be a
origin (0,0) or at (h,k).
Latus Rectum
- The line segment through the focus and parallel to the directrix. Two endpoints
are points of the parabola.

(Note: A parabola has no center AND radius)

Other information:
- The distance from the vertex to focus is a units.
- The focus is at (0,a) or (a,0) depending on where the axis lies.
- A parabola’s axis of symmetry can be determined by looking at the variable with an
exponent. If it is x2, then the A.S. is vertical, but if it is y2, then the A.S. is horizontal.

The figure below is the equation of a parabola with the vertex at (0,0):
(Made by: John Cedric L. Ebrada)
Find the vertex, focus, directrix, endpoints and length of the Latus Rectum and graph the
parabola
Examples:

1.) x2 = 16y
A.S. is Vertical
The parabola opens upward
Vertex: (0,0)
Focus: (0,4)
Step 1: Write the equation 4a = p: 4a = p
Step 2: Substitute the given (the coefficient of the variable y = p): 4a = 16
Step 3: Divide both sides by 4: 4a/4 = 16/4
a=4
Directrix: y = -4
Step 1: Write the equation y = -a: y = -a
Step 2: Substitute the given and simplify: y = -(4)
y = -4

Endpoints of Latus Rectum: (8 , 4)(-8 , 4)


Step 1: Write the equation (±2a, a): (±2a , a)
Step 2: Substitute the given: (±2(4) , 4)
Step 3: Simplify: (8 , 4)(-8 , 4)

Length of Latus Rectum:


Step 1: Get the absolute value of 4a: I4aI
Step 2: Substitute the given: I4(4)I
Step 3: Simplify: I16I
L = 16

Graph of the Parabola:


2.) y2 = 8x
A.S. is Horizontal
The parabola opens to the right
Vertex: (0,0)
Focus: (2,0)
Step 1: Write the equation 4a = p: 4a = p
Step 2: Substitute the given (the coefficient of the variable y = p): 4a = 8
Step 3: Divide both sides by 4: 4a/4 = 8/4
a=2
Directrix: y = -2
Step 1: Write the equation y = -a: y = -a
Step 2: Substitute the given and simplify: y = -(2)
y = -2

Endpoints of Latus Rectum: (2 , 4)(2 , -4)


Step 1: Write the equation (a, ±2a): (±2a , a)
Step 2: Substitute the given: (2 , ±2(2))
Step 3: Simplify: (2 , 4)(2 , -4)

Length of Latus Rectum:


Step 1: Get the absolute value of 4a: I4aI
Step 2: Substitute the given: I4(2)I
Step 3: Simplify: I8I
L=8
Graph of the Parabola:

3.) 2x2 = 16y


Step 1: Divide both sides by 2 to make it into standard form: 2x2/2 = 16y/2
Step 2: Simplify: x2 = 8y
A.S. is Vertical
The parabola opens upward
Vertex: (0,0)
Focus: (0,2)
Step 1: Write the equation 4a = p: 4a = p
Step 2: Substitute the given (the coefficient of the variable y = p): 4a = 8
Step 3: Divide both sides by 4: 4a/4 = 8/4
a=2
Directrix: y = -2
Step 1: Write the equation y = -a: y = -a
Step 2: Substitute the given and simplify: y = -(2)
y = -2

Endpoints of Latus Rectum: (8 , 4)(-8 , 4)


Step 1: Write the equation (±2a, a): (±2a , a)
Step 2: Substitute the given: (±2(2) , 2)
Step 3: Simplify: (4 , 2)(-4 , 2)

Length of Latus Rectum:


Step 1: Get the absolute value of 4a: I4aI
Step 2: Substitute the given: I4(2)I
Step 3: Simplify: I8I
L=8

Graph of the Parabola:

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