INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE IN STEM 1

Pre-Calculus
Week 3

TIME ALLOTMENT: 4 Hours

CONTENT: CHAPTER II. PARABOLA
Lesson 1. Introduction to Parabola
Lesson 2. General Form and Standard Form of a Parabola
Lesson 3. Parabola with Vertex at the Origin

LEARNING COMPETENCIES:
At the end of the week, learners are expected to:
1. define a parabola (STEM_PC11AG-Ia-5);
2. determine the standard form of equation of a parabola (STEM_PC11AG-Ib-1); and
3. graph a parabola in a rectangular coordinate system (STEM_PC11AG-Ib-2).

LEARNING RESOURCES:
1. Commission on Higher Education. Learner’s Manual for Senior High School Pre-Calculus. Quezon City:
EC-TEC Commercial.
2. Deauna, Melecio C. and Lamayo, Florita C. (2015). Basic Trigonometry. Quezon City: SIBS Publishing
House, Inc.
3. Sirug, Winston S. (2016). Pre-Calculus for Senior High School – STEM Specialized Subject, A Comprehensive
Approach. Intramuros, Manila: Mindshapers Co., Inc.

DISCUSSION:
Lesson 1. Introduction to Parabola
A parabola is the set of all points on a plane that are equidistant from a fixed point and a fixed line of the
plane. The fixed point is called the focus and the fixed line is the directrix.

Parts of a Parabola
a) The vertex is the point, midway between the focus and the directrix.
b) The axis of the parabola is the line containing the focus and perpendicular to the directrix. The
parabola is symmetric with respect to its axis.
c) The latus rectum is the chord drawn through the focus and parallel to the directrix (and therefore
perpendicular to the axis) of the parabola.
d) In the parabola y2=4ax, the length of latus rectum is 4a, and the endpoints of the latus rectum are (a,
-2a) and (a, 2a).
y
L

M P( x , y )
C
In the figure at the right, the vertex of the parabola is the
origin, the focus is F(a, 0), the directrix is the line
containing ̅̅̅̅
𝐿𝐿′, the axis is the x-axis, the latus rectum is the
line containing ̅̅̅̅̅
𝐶𝐶′. O F(a, 0) x

C ’

L '

Page 1 of 5
Lesson 2. General Form and Standard Form of a Parabola

Table 2.1 General and Standard Equations of the Parabola

Vertex General Form Standard Form
𝑦 2 = 4𝑐𝑥
𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐹 = 0
𝑦 2 = −4𝑐𝑥
(0, 0)
𝑥 2 = 4𝑐𝑦
𝑥 2 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0
𝑥 2 = −4𝑐𝑦
2
(ℎ, 𝑘) 𝑦 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0 (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 4𝑐(𝑥 − ℎ)
(𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = −4𝑐(𝑥 − ℎ)
2
𝑥 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0 (𝑥 − ℎ)2 = 4𝑐(𝑦 − 𝑘)
(𝑥 − ℎ)2 = −4𝑐(𝑦 − 𝑘)

Example. Convert the general equations to standard form:

a. 𝑦 2 + 12𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 25 = 0
b. 2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 − 𝑦 + 16 = 0
c. 9𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 5𝑦 + 21 = 0
d. 𝑦 2 − 6𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 17 = 0

Solution:
a. 𝑦 2 + 12𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 25 = 0
𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 = −12𝑥 − 25 Isolate y on the left side of the equation (since y contains the exponent)
𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + ____ = −12𝑥 − 25 + ____ Apply completing the square (Review Module 1)
𝑏 2 2 2
𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + 1 = −12𝑥 − 25 + 1 (2) = (2) = 12 = 1
(𝑦 + 1)2 = −12𝑥 − 24 Factor the left by perfect square trinomial
(𝑦 + 1)2 = −12(𝑥 + 2) Factor the coefficient of x on the right side of the equation

b. 2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 − 𝑦 + 16 = 0
2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 = 𝑦 − 16 Isolate x on the left side of the equation (since x contains the exponent)
2(𝑥 2 − 6𝑥) = 𝑦 − 16 Factor out the coefficient of 𝑥 2
2(𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + ___) = 𝑦 − 16 + 2(___) Apply completing the square
𝑏 2 −6 2
2(𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9) = 𝑦 − 16 + 2(9) (2) = ( 2 ) = (−3)2 = 9
2(𝑥 − 3)2 = 𝑦 − 16 + 18 Factor the left by perfect square trinomial
2(𝑥 − 3)2 = 𝑦 + 2 Simplify the right side of the equation
2(𝑥−3)2 𝑦+2
2
= 2
Divide both side of the equation by 2
1
(𝑥 − 3)2 = (𝑦 + 2) Simplify
2

c. 9𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 5𝑦 + 21 = 0
9𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 = −5𝑦 − 21 Isolate x on the left side of the equation (since x contains the exponent)
9(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥) = −5𝑦 − 21 Factor out the coefficient of 𝑥 2
9(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + ___) = −5𝑦 − 21 + 9(___) Apply completing the square
𝑏 2 −4 2
9(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4) = −5𝑦 − 21 + 9(4) (2) = ( 2 ) = (−2)2 = 4
9(𝑥 − 2)2 = −5𝑦 − 21 + 36 Factor the left by perfect square trinomial
9(𝑥 − 2)2 = −5𝑦 + 15 Simplify the right side of the equation
9(𝑥 − 2)2 = −5(𝑦 − 3) Factor out the coefficient of y
9(𝑥−2)2 −5(𝑦−3)
9
= 9
Divide both side of 9
5
(𝑥 − 2)2 = − 9 (𝑦 − 3) Simplify

Page 2 of 5
 d. 𝑦 2 − 6𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 17 = 0
𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 = 6𝑥 + 17 Isolate y on the left side of the equation (since y contains the exponent)
𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + ____ = 6𝑥 + 17 + ____ Apply completing the square (Review Module 1)
𝑏 2 2 2
𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + 1 = 6𝑥 + 17 + 1 ( ) = ( ) = 12 = 1
2 2
(𝑦 + 1)2 = 6𝑥 + 18 Factor the left by perfect square trinomial
(𝑦 + 1)2 = 6(𝑥 + 3) Factor the coefficient of x on the right side of the equation

Example. Convert the standard equations to general form:

a. (𝑦 + 1)2 = 6(𝑥 + 3)
5
b. (𝑥 − 2)2 = − (𝑦 − 3)
9
1
c. (𝑥 − 3)2 = (𝑦 + 2)
2
d. (𝑦 + 1)2 = −12(𝑥 + 2)

Solution:
a. (𝑦 + 1)2 = 6(𝑥 + 3)
𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + 1 = 6(𝑥 + 3) Expand (𝑦 + 1)2 = (y)+2(𝑦)(1)+12 = 𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + 1
𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + 1 = 6𝑥 + 18 Distributive property of multiplication
𝑦 2 − 6𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 1 − 18 = 0 Put all terms on the right side of the equation.
𝑦 2 − 6𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 17 = 0 Combine like terms

5
b. (𝑥 − 2)2 = − (𝑦 − 3)
9
5
9(𝑥 − 2)2 = [− (𝑦 − 3)] 9 Multiply both side of the equation by 9
9
9(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4) = −5(𝑦 − 3) Expand (𝑥 − 3)2
9𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 36 = −5𝑦 + 15 Use distributive property of multiplication
9𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 5𝑦 + 36 − 15 = 0 Put all terms on the right side of the equation.
2𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 5𝑦 + 21 = 0 Combine like terms

1
c. (𝑥 − 3)2 = (𝑦 + 2)
2
1
2(𝑥 − 3)2 = [ (𝑦 + 2)] 2 Multiply both side of the equation by 2
2
2
2(𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 9) = (𝑦 + 2) Expand (𝑥 − 3)2
2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 18 = 𝑦 + 2 Use distributive property of multiplication
2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 18 − 2 = 0 Put all terms on the right side of the equation.
2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 − 𝑦 + 16 = 0 Combine like terms

d. (𝑦 + 1)2 = −12(𝑥 + 2)
𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + 1 = −12(𝑥 + 2) Expand (𝑦 + 1)2
𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + 1 = −12𝑥 − 24 Distributive property of multiplication
𝑦 2 + 12𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 1 + 24 = 0 Put all terms on the right side of the equation.
𝑦 2 + 12𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 25 = 0 Combine like terms

Lesson 3. Parabola with Vertex at the Origin

Table 2.1 Parts of the Parabola at Vertex (0,0)

Standard Focus Directrix Axis of Endpoints of Opening of the
Equation Symmetry Latus Rectum Graph
𝐸1 = (𝑐, 2𝑐)
𝑦 2 = 4𝑐𝑥 (𝑐, 0) 𝑥 = −𝑐 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 Right
𝐸2 = (𝑐, −2𝑐)
𝐸1 = (−𝑐, 2𝑐)
𝑦 2 = −4𝑐𝑥 (−𝑐, 0) 𝑥=𝑐 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 Left
𝐸2 = (−𝑐, −2𝑐)
𝐸1 = (2𝑐, 𝑐)
𝑥 2 = 4𝑐𝑦 (0, 𝑐) 𝑦 = −𝑐 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 Upward
𝐸2 = (−2𝑐, 𝑐)
𝐸1 = (2𝑐, −𝑐)
𝑥 2 = −4𝑐𝑦 (0, −𝑐) 𝑦=𝑐 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 Downward
𝐸2 = (−2𝑐, −𝑐)

Page 3 of 5
Example 1. Sketch and discuss 𝑥 2 − 8𝑦 = 0.
Solution: 𝑥 2 = 8𝑦
Standard Focus Directrix Axis of Endpoints of Opening of the
Equation Symmetry Latus Rectum Graph
𝐸1 = (2𝑐, 𝑐)
𝑥 2 = 4𝑐𝑦 (0, 𝑐) 𝑦 = −𝑐 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 Upward
𝐸2 = (−2𝑐, 𝑐)

Based on the table we need to factor out 4 from the left side of the equation to get the value of c.
𝑥 2 = 8𝑦 𝑥 2 = 4(2)𝑦 ∴𝑐=2

Parts of the parabola Graph of the parabola

Vertex : (0, 0)
Focus : (0, 𝑐) ⟹ (0, 2)
Directrix : 𝑦 = −𝑐 ⟹ 𝑦 = −2
Axis of Symmetry : 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
Endpoints of Latus Rectum : 𝐸1 = (2𝑐, 𝑐) ⟹ (4, 2)
: 𝐸2 = (−2𝑐, 𝑐) ⟹ (−4, 2)

Example 2. Sketch and discuss 𝑦 2 + 12𝑥 = 0.

Solution: 𝑦 2 = −12𝑥
Standard Focus Directrix Axis of Endpoints of Opening of the
Equation Symmetry Latus Rectum Graph
𝐸1 = (−𝑐, 2𝑐)
𝑦 2 = −4𝑐𝑥 (−𝑐, 0) 𝑥=𝑐 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 Left
𝐸2 = (−𝑐, −2𝑐)

𝑦 2 = −12 𝑥 2 = −4(3)𝑦 ∴𝑐=3

Parts of the parabola

Vertex : (0, 0)
Focus : (−𝑐, 0, ) ⟹ (−3,0)
Directrix :𝑥=𝑐⟹𝑥=3
Axis of Symmetry : 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
Endpoints of Latus Rectum : 𝐸1 = (−𝑐, 2𝑐) ⟹ (−3, 6)
: 𝐸2 = (−𝑐, −2𝑐) ⟹ (−3, − 6)

Graph of the parabola

Page 4 of 5
 3
Example 3. Find the general and standard equation of the parabola with vertex at (0, 0) and focus at (0, − ).
4
Sketch the graph.
Solution:
3
With given information V(0, 0) and F(0, − 4), we can say that the axis of the parabola is on the y-axis.
(See table 2.1)

It can be deduced on table 2.1 that the parabola opens downward, thus the equation is 𝑥 2 = −4𝑐𝑦
Standard Focus Directrix Axis of Endpoints of Opening of the
Equation Symmetry Latus Rectum Graph
𝐸 = (2𝑐, −𝑐)
𝑥 2 = −4𝑐𝑦 (0, −𝑐) 𝑦=𝑐 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 1 Downward
𝐸2 = (−2𝑐, −𝑐)
3 3
From the table focus has a coordinate of (0, −𝑐) and from the given 𝐹(0, − 4), thus c = 4. Substituting it
from the formula 𝑥 2 = −4𝑐𝑦 we get:
3
𝑥 2 = −4(4)𝑦
𝑥 2 = −3𝑦 Standard Equation
𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 = 0 General Equation

Parts of the parabola

Vertex : (0, 0)
3
Focus : (0, −𝑐) ⟹ (0, − )
4
3
Directrix : 𝑦 = 𝑐 ⟹ 𝑦 = ⟹ 4𝑦 = 3
4
Axis of Symmetry : 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
3 3
Endpoints of Latus Rectum : 𝐸1 = (2𝑐, −𝑐) ⟹ (2 , − 4)
3 3
: 𝐸2 = (−2𝑐, −𝑐) ⟹ (− , − ) Graph of the parabola
2 4

Example 4. Find the general and standard equation of the parabola with focus at (1, 0) and directrix at x = -1.
Sketch the graph.
Solution: F (1, 0) Directrix: x = -1
Standard Focus Directrix Axis of Endpoints of Opening of the
Equation Symmetry Latus Rectum Graph
𝐸1 = (𝑐, 2𝑐)
𝑦 2 = 4𝑐𝑥 (𝑐, 0) 𝑥 = −𝑐 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 Right
𝐸2 = (𝑐, −2𝑐)
Based on the table we can deduced that c =1 since focus is at (𝑐, 0) ⟹(1, 0). So we get:
𝑦 2 = 4𝑐𝑥
𝑦 2 = 4(1)𝑥
𝑦 2 = 4𝑥 Standard Equation
2
𝑦 − 4𝑥 = 0 General Equation

Parts of the parabola

Vertex : (0, 0)
Focus : (1, 0)
Directrix : 𝑥 = −1
Axis of Symmetry : 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
Endpoints of Latus Rectum : 𝐸1 = (𝑐, 2𝑐) ⟹ (1, 2)
: 𝐸2 = (𝑐, −2𝑐) ⟹ (1, − 2)

Prepared by:

MELVIN U. ESTOLERO, LPT

Teacher

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