Conic Sections (equations with examples)

(Pre-Calculus)
(M J Rhoades)

Parabolas:
Vertical type, (opens up or down :)
The definition of a parabola is the set of all points (locus) that are equidistant from the focus and the line
described as the directrix. As can be seen below, these points have been identified and the terminology for use
with conics has been established. The equation that describes the shape of the parabola is a quadratic equation
and takes the form of: ƒ (x) = ax 2 + bx + c this is an average looking quadratic and all equations of this
form will yield a graph of a parabola. In the case below the graph opens up, and when the “a” of the ax 2 is
positive then it will open up and when it is negative, it will open down. Keep that in mind as we walk through
this figure, and discuss what all this h, k, and p stuff is about.

Figure 1

Let’s look at this h, k, and p to talk about the lines and points that have been put on this figure. These letters
represent a numerical value of a position in a quadratic equation of the second degree. It also sets up a
relationship that can be used to find values of various points on a graph for the different equations that will be
encountered. The following is a list of these relationships for the vertical parabola (Runs equidistant from a Y
axis of symmetry.)
 Vertex (h, k) or (x, y): The lowest or highest point on the graph (visually) which lies on the axis or line of
symmetry. It is also the distance from the origin in coordinates. The relationship for the vertex in terms of the
equations and values are listed below as well as another (figure 1) of the graph above.

Figure 1

Remember, the equation for a parabola is = ax2 + bx + c some examples are

y = 2 x2 + 3x + 5 or ƒ(x) = 4x2 or –x2 + 2x + 3 or x = y2 – 6y + 5, (Also remember, a one (1) sits in front

of any lone variable i.e. -x ⇒ has a -1 in front of the x, use this when calculating any h, k, or p values. Also be
very careful of the signs here, keep the signs inside a parenthesis or you will lose them and get the answer
wrong.

b
For the vertex coordinates (h, k): x = - 2(a) = h (h,?) Example: for the equation
2
y = -x2 + 2x = 3, it would be: x=- = - (-1) = [1] = h
2(−1)

−b
For y: y=ƒ ( )
2(a)
in other words substitute the answer for x back into the equation

and solve for y. For the example equation above, we would have:

y = - (1) + 2(1) + 3 = -1+ 2 + 3 = [4]= y = k Now we have our

vertex coordinates at (1, 4) on a graph. We also know that because the “a” is negative, the curve will open down
and these coordinates are above the x axis because they are positive. This is important for graphing the function
so keep this in mind.
 For the focus, (h, k + p): We need to solve for p. P is the numerical distance from the vertex to the focus
1 1
and is found by the equation; p= and accordingly a = so for the example equation we have:
4 (a) 4 ( p)

1 1
P= = - now, substitute this value into (h, k + p)
4 (−1) 4

1 3
Focus = (h, k + p) = 1, + 4 + -
4 (
= 1,3
4 )
So now we have this part of the puzzle.

For the directrix, y = k-p: Which is a horizontal line on the outside of the vertical parabolas at distance
p from the vertex. For the example equation we have:

1 1
Directrix = y = 4 – (- ) = 4 Now we have our directrix.
4 4

Axis of symmetry, x = h: h=1

Now because the vertex in our example was above the x axis, we must have x intercepts, right? We will have
to find these points on the x axis to complete a sketch of our graph. We do this by factoring the quadratic and
putting the factors equal to zero. Factoring may be done by visualization and manipulation, completing the
square, or using the quadratic formula. I you don’t know how to do these, then go online and find out.

- x2 + 2x + 3 = 0

Multiply through by -1 to clear the – sign in front of the x to help with the factoring, we get:

x2 – 2x -3 = 0
(x-3)(x + 1) = 0
x–3=0 ⇒ x=3
x+1=0 ⇒ x=-1

Now we have all we need to complete a sketch of the graph of the function:

ƒ(x) = -x + 2x + 3

See the sketch on the next page for the graph and points on the curve as identified above.
 1 Equation of parabola: y = -x2 + 2x + 3
Directrix line (y = k – p) = 4
4

3 Axis of symmetry
Focus (h, k + p) (1, 3 )
4 Vertex (h, k) point (1, 4)

X intercepts -1 and 3

We can solve all of the problems using the above formulas and techniques but there are additional things and
equations we need to know for the vertical parabola. We worked with what is called the general and standard
form of the equation. Let’s look at the vertex forms you may see banging about on the internet and books. There
are three vertex forms that I know of but there may be more, the thing to understand is that they all came from
the general form. I will list the forms and then convert them so you can see that.

General form: ƒ(x) = x2 + bx + c Parts chart for equations(vertical)

Standard form: y = x2 + bx + c 1 1 h2
Where: a =
4p
;p=
4a
; h = −b
2a
; c=
4p
+k
Vertex form 1: (x-h)2 = 4p (y-k)

Vertex form 2: a (x-h)2 + k = y −h 4 ac−b2

b= ;k=
2p 4a
Vertex form 3: x2 = ± 4py
x(t) = 2pt + h; y(t) = pt2 + k
If a > 0, opens up

If a < 0, opens down

Focus: = (h, k + p)

Directrix: y = k – p

Axis: x = h Vertex = (h, k)

 Let’s look at the relationship between the vertex form and the standard or general form so all this will tie in.
Take for instance the vertex form:
(x – h)2 = 4p (y-k)
To see its origin, just solve it and you will see where it came from. All of the equations involved with the
parabola are related like this. Ok, let’s solve this one and show you how the others are related.

(x – h)2 = 4p (y-k) ⇒ vertex form

(x−h)2 1
= (y –k) a= so;
4p 4p
a (x – h)2 + k = 0 ⇒ the next vertex form of the equation you will see, only the 0 is replaced by a
“y” or ƒ(x)
4 ac−b2
a (x – h)2 + = 0 ⇒ see parts chart on previous page for the substitution.
4a

4 ac−b2
2
a(x – 2hx + h ) +2
= 0 ⇒ expanding the squared factor
4a

−b b2 4 ac−b2
a(x2 – 2x + ) + =0 ⇒Substituting for h
2 a 4 a2 4a

−b a b 2 4 ac−b2
ax2 – 2 ax +
2 a 4 a2
+ =0 ⇒ multiplying by 2 a/2a and a/a for first and last fraction
4a

−b a b 2 4 a2 c −ab2
2
ax2 – 4 a x + + = 0 ⇒ combining terms
4 a 2 4 a2 4 a2

2 4 a2 x ( – b )+ a b2 +4 a2 c−a b2
ax - =0
4 a2
ax2 – (-bx) + c = 0
ax2 + bx + c = 0

For: x2 = 4py use this form only when the vertex is at the origin (0, 0.) This is the same equation that I started
with at the top of the page only replace the h & k with 0,0 and solve. This is how they are all related through the
quadratic formula. I am going to give you the formulas first this time for the horizontal parabolas and then solve
an example. The principles are the same so I am not going to dwell to long on the mechanics this time.

Horizontal type, opens right or left:

The horizontal parabola uses the following formulas for solving the graphs:
General form: ƒ(y) = ay2 + by + c
Standard form: x = ay2 + by + c
Vertex form 1: (y – k)2 = 4p (x-h)
Vertex form 2: x = a(y-k)2 + h
Vertex form 3: y2 = ± 4px (+ opens right 0, 0 vertex, - opens left, 0, 0 vertex)
Vertex = (h, k)
If a > 1, opens right
If a < 1, opens left
Focus = (h + p, k)
Directrix: x = h – p Parts chart for equations (horizontal)
Axis of symmetry: y = k 1 1 −b k2
Where: a =
4p
;p=
4a
; k=
2a
; c=
4p
+h

−k 4 ac−b2
b= ;h=
2p 4a

x(t) = pt2 + h; y(t) = 2pt + k

As you can see the equations changed a little bit in terms of x, y and h, k but all the principles still apply as
before. I am going to do a horizontal problem to bring you up to speed.

Example equation: x = y2 -6y + 5

−b −6
For the vertex coordinates :(h, k) or (x, y) k = 2 a = - 2(1) = 3

h = 32 – 6 (3) + 5 = -4

vertex = (-4, 3)
For the focus: (h + p, k)
1
Focus = (-4 + + 3)
4

3 1 1 1
= (-3 , +3) p= = =
4 4 a 4 (1) 4

Directrix: x =h – p
1 1
-4 - =-4
4 4

Axis 0f symmetry: y = k y = 3
Y intercepts:
y2 – 6y + 5 = 0
y–5=0 =5
y–1=0 =1 Y intercepts
Directrix

Axis of symmetry

Vertex
Focus
I hope this review of the parabola helped you to better understand how to graph and work with functions that
they represent. The next subject for conic sections will be the circle.