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  2. 12th grade
  3. Algebra II
  4. Exercise : Write equations of parabolas from properties

Write equations of parabolas from properties Algebra II

Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is \left(2{,}2\right) and directrix is y=4.

A parabola is the set of all points that are equidistant to the focus and the directrix.

The distance of the directrix and the parabola is y-4.

The distance of the parabola and the focus can be obtained using the distance formula:

\sqrt{\left(x-2\right)^2+\left(y-2\right)^2}

Therefore an equation is:

\left(y-4\right)^2 = \left(x-2\right)^2+ \left(y-2\right)^2

y^2-8y+16 = x^2 -4x+4 + y^2-4y+4

-4y = x^2 -4x-8

y= -\dfrac{1}{4}x^2+x+2

Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is \left(-1{,}3\right) and directrix is y=1.

A parabola is the set of all points that are equidistant to the focus and the directrix.

The distance of the directrix and the parabola is y-1.

The distance of the parabola and the focus can be obtained using the distance formula:

\sqrt{\left(x+1\right)^2+\left(y-3\right)^2}

Therefore an equation is:

\left(y-1\right)^2 = \left(x+1\right)^2+ \left(y-3\right)^2

y^2-2y+1 = x^2 +2x+1 + y^2-6y+9

4y = x^2 +2x+9

y=\dfrac{1}{4}x^2+\dfrac{2}{4}x+\dfrac{9}{4}

y=\dfrac{1}{4}x^2+\dfrac{1}{2}x+\dfrac{9}{4}

y=\dfrac{1}{4}x^2+\dfrac{1}{2}x+\dfrac{9}{4}

Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is \left(0{,}2\right) and directrix is y=-1.

A parabola is the set of all points that are equidistant to the focus and the directrix.

The distance of the directrix and the parabola is y+1.

The distance of the parabola and the focus can be obtained using the distance formula:

\sqrt{\left(x-0\right)^2+\left(y-2\right)^2}

Therefore an equation is:

\left(y+1\right)^2 = \left(x\right)^2+ \left(y-2\right)^2

y^2+2y+1 = x^2 + y^2-4y+4

6y = x^2+3

y=\dfrac{1}{6}x^2+\dfrac{3}{6}

y=\dfrac{1}{6}x^2+\dfrac{1}{2}

y=\dfrac{1}{6}x^2+\dfrac{1}{2}

Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is \left(2{,}0\right) and directrix is y=3.

A parabola is the set of all points that are equidistant to the focus and the directrix.

The distance of the directrix and the parabola is y-3.

The distance of the parabola and the focus can be obtained using the distance formula:

\sqrt{\left(x-2\right)^2+\left(y-0\right)^2}

Therefore an equation is:

\left(y-3\right)^2 = \left(x-2\right)^2+ y^2

y^2-6y+9=x^2-4x+4+y^2

-6y = x^2 -4x-5

y=-\dfrac{1}{6}x^2+\dfrac{4}{6}x+\dfrac{5}{6}

y=-\dfrac{1}{6}x^2+\dfrac{2}{3}x+\dfrac{5}{6}

y=-\dfrac{1}{6}x^2+\dfrac{2}{3}x+\dfrac{5}{6}

Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is \left(-1{,}2\right) and directrix is x=1.

A parabola is the set of all points that are equidistant to the focus and the directrix.

The distance of the directrix and the parabola is x-1.

The distance of the parabola and the focus can be obtained using the distance formula:

\sqrt{\left(x+1\right)^2+\left(y-2\right)^2}

Therefore an equation is:

\left(x-1\right)^2 = \left(x+1\right)^2+ \left(y-2\right)^2

x^2-2x+1=x^2+2x+1+y^2-4y+4

-4x = y^2 -4y+4

x=-\dfrac{1}{4}y^2+y-1

x=-\dfrac{1}{4}y^2+y-1

Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is \left(1{,}4\right) and directrix is x=-1.

A parabola is the set of all points that are equidistant to the focus and the directrix.

The distance of the directrix and the parabola is x+1.

The distance of the parabola and the focus can be obtained using the distance formula:

\sqrt{\left(x-1\right)^2+\left(y-4\right)^2}

Therefore an equation is:

\left(x+1\right)^2 = \left(x-1\right)^2+ \left(y-4\right)^2

x^2+2x+1 = x^2-2x+1+y^2-8y+16

4x=y^2-8y+16

x=\dfrac{1}{4}y^2-\dfrac{8}{4}y+\dfrac{16}{4}

x=\dfrac{1}{4}y^2-2y+4

x=\dfrac{1}{4}y^2-2y+4

Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is \left(2,-1\right) and directrix is x=3.

A parabola is the set of all points that are equidistant to the focus and the directrix.

The distance of the directrix and the parabola is x-3.

The distance of the parabola and the focus can be obtained using the distance formula:

\sqrt{\left(x-2\right)^2+\left(y+1\right)^2}

Therefore an equation is:

\left(x-3\right)^2 = \left(x-2\right)^2+ \left(y+1\right)^2

x^2-6x+9 = x^2 -4x+4 + y^2+2y+1

-2x =y^2 +2y-4

x=-\dfrac{1}{2}y^2-y+2

x= -\dfrac{1}{2}y^2-y+2

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See also
  • Course : Parabolas
  • Exercise : Write equations of parabolas from graphs
  • Exercise : Convert equations of parabolas from general to vertex form
  • Exercise : Find properties of a parabola from equations
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