Parabola Equation

● Introduction
● What is Parabola?
● Properties of a Parabola
● Standard Equations of a Parabola
● Graphing Parabola
● Deriving the Parabola Equation
● Parabola Formula
● Properties of a Parabola
● Solved Questions
● Practice Problems
● Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction
A parabola is a U-shaped curve you get when you graph a quadratic equation. Think of it like a curve that
looks like the letter "U." To be more precise mathematically, it's defined as a curve where every point on it is
the same distance from a fixed point (called the focus) and a fixed line (called the directrix). Picture throwing a
ball. When it moves through the air, it follows a trajectory path that's shaped like a parabola.

Parabola is of extreme importance, not just math. Physics, engineering, finance, and even computer science
use parabolas in their work. The word "parabola" comes from Greek, meaning "juxtaposition" or "comparison,"
which might refer to how points on the curve are related to each other.

What is Parabola?
A parabola is the name of the graph when you graph a quadratic function. The set of all points that are
equidistant from a fixed line and a fixed point (not on the fixed line) in the plane is a parabola. The fixed line is
termed the “directrix” and the fixed point is called the “focus”. Going further, a line through the focus and
perpendicular to the directrix is the axis of the parabola or axis of symmetry. Also, the point where the parabola
intersects the axis is called the vertex or the turning point of the parabola.

This curve is quite important in math, especially in a branch called coordinate geometry, where we study how
points relate to each other on a graph. And it's not just any curve; it's part of a group called "conic sections,"
which are like different types of curves you get when you slice through a cone in different ways.
Properties of a Parabola
The general equation of a parabola describes its shape and position on a graph. There are two forms of this
equation, depending on whether the parabola is standing upright or lying sideways. In the regular form, the
equation looks like y = p(x - h)² + k, and in the sideways form, it's x = p(y - k)² + h. Here, (h, k) represents the
vertex, which is the highest or lowest point of the curve.

In the world of parabolas, there are some important terms you should know:

Focus: This is a special point on the parabola, usually at (a, 0). If you imagine light rays bouncing off the
parabola, they all meet up at this point.

Directrix: This is a line that is perpendicular to the bottom of the parabola and goes through the point (-a, 0).
It's always at a right angle to the parabola's axis of symmetry.

Focal Chord: When a line passes through the focus of the parabola, it creates what's called a focal chord.
This line cuts the parabola in two different spots.

Focal Distance: This is the distance between any point on the parabola and its focus. It's also the distance
from that point to the directrix but measured at a right angle.

Latus Rectum: Imagine a line that's perpendicular to the main line of the parabola and goes through the
focus. That's the latus rectum. Its length is usually 4a, and it's got two endpoints at (a, 2a) and (a, -2a).

Eccentricity: This is a measure of how stretched out or squished a parabola is. For a parabola, the
eccentricity is always 1. It's like a special signature that every parabola carries.

The table below includes the formula for the above-mentioned properties of different types of parabolas.

Standard Equations of a Parabola

When it comes to parabolas, there are four standard equations you should know:

1. y² = 4ax
2. y² = -4ax
3. x² = 4ay
4. x² = -4ay

These equations describe the shape and orientation of different types of parabolas. For example, if the
equation involves y², the parabola's axis of symmetry is along the x-axis. And if the equation involves x², then
the axis of symmetry is along the y-axis.

Here's a quick breakdown of what each equation means:

y² = 4ax: This form of parabola opens to the right if 'a' is positive and to the left if 'a' is negative.
y² = -4ax: This form opens in the opposite direction, to the left if 'a' is positive and to the right if 'a' is negative.
x² = 4ay: Here, the parabola opens upwards if 'a' is positive and downwards if 'a' is negative.
x² = -4ay: Similar to the previous form, but the parabola opens in the opposite direction.

Understanding these equations helps us visualize and analyze the behavior of different parabolas on a graph.

Graphing Parabola Using Parabola Equation

When we talk about graphing a parabola, we're essentially plotting points on a graph to draw a U-shaped
curve. Ler’s illustrate the process of graphing using an example.

Example: Graph y = 3x² - 6x + 5.

Solution:
Step 1: Find the vertex of the parabola.
Use the formula h = -b/2a to find the x-coordinate of the vertex
In this case, `a = 3`, `b = -6` and `c = 5`.
\[ h = -\frac{b}{2a} = -\frac{-6}{6} = 1 \]
Next `x = 1` into the equation to find the y-coordinate of the vertex.
\[ k = 3(1)^2 - 6(1) + 5 = 3 - 6 + 5 = 2 \].
Hence the vertex turns out to be (1, 2).

Step 2: Determine the direction of opening.

The direction of the parabola depends on the value of 'a' in the equation. If 'a' is positive, the parabola opens
upwards, and if 'a' is negative, it opens downwards.
In our example, since 'a' is positive, the parabola opens upwards.

Step 3: Determine the axis of symmetry.

The axis of symmetry of the parabola is a vertical line passing through its vertex.
In this case, the axis of symmetry is x = 1 because the x-coordinate of the vertex is 1.

Step 4: Determine the focus of the parabola.

The focus of the parabola is a special point that lies on the axis of symmetry, and it's calculated using the
formula `(h, k + \frac{1}{4a})`.
In our case, x-coordinate of the focus is h = 1.
The y-coordinate of the focus is `k + \frac{1}{4a} = 2 + \frac{1}{12} = \frac{25}{12}`

Hence for our parabola, the focus turns out to be (1, 25/12).

Step 4: Determine the directrix of the parabola.

The directrix is a line that's perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and lies on the other side of the vertex. It's
calculated using the formula `y = k - \frac{1}{4a}`.
\[ k - \frac{1}{4a} = 2 - \frac{1}{12} = \frac{23}{12} \]
So, the directrix equation is y = 23/12.

Understanding these concepts helps us accurately graph the parabola and understand its behavior on the
coordinate plane.
Deriving the Parabola Equation

To derive the equation of a parabola, we begin by considering a point \( P \) with coordinates \( (x, y) \) on the
parabola. According to the definition, the distance of this point from the focus \( F \) equals its distance from
the directrix. Let's denote a point \( B \) on the directrix, and we calculate the perpendicular distance \( PB \).

1. Definition of Parabola: By definition, the eccentricity of a parabola is 1, meaning the distance \( PF \) from
the focus to \( P \) equals the distance \( PB \) from \( P \) to the directrix.

2. Distance Calculation: Using the distance formula, we find \( PF \) and \( PB \). \( PF \) represents the
distance from the focus \( F \) to \( P \), and \( PB \) represents the distance from \( P \) to the directrix.

\[ PF = \sqrt{(x - a)^2 + y^2} \]

\[ PB = \sqrt{(x + a)^2} \]

3. Equating Distances: Setting \( PF \) equal to \( PB \), we have:

\[ \sqrt{(x - a)^2 + y^2} = \sqrt{(x + a)^2} \]

4. Squaring Both Sides: Squaring both sides of the equation to eliminate the square roots:

\[ (x - a)^2 + y^2 = (x + a)^2 \]

5. Simplification: Expanding and simplifying the equation:

\[ x^2 - 2ax + a^2 + y^2 = x^2 + 2ax + a^2 \]

6. Rearranging Terms: Rearranging the equation to isolate \( y^2 \) term:

\[ y^2 = 4ax \]

7. Result: Thus, we have successfully derived the standard equation of a parabola: \( y^2 = 4ax \).

Similarly, we can derive equations for other types of parabolas, such as \( y^2 = -4ax \), \( x^2 = 4ay \), and \(
x^2 = -4ay \), representing different orientations and placements of the parabola. These equations are known
as the standard equations of parabolas.

Parabola Formulas
The following table shows the various formulas that are used to get the different parameters of a parabola.
Solved Examples
Q1. Find coordinates of the focus, axis, the equation of the directrix, and latus rectum of the parabola
\(y^2 = 20x\).

Solution:
Given the equation of the parabola: \(y^2 = 20x\)

Comparing with the standard form \(y^2 = 4ax\), we have \(4a = 20 \implies a = 5\).

The coefficient of \(x\) is positive, so the parabola opens to the right. Also, the axis of symmetry is along the
positive \(x\)-axis.

Therefore,
- Focus of the parabola is \((a, 0) = (5, 0)\).
- Equation of the directrix is \(x = -a\), i.e., \(x = -5\).
- Length of the latus rectum = \(4a = 4(5) = 20\).

Q2. Find coordinates of the focus, axis, the equation of the directrix, and latus rectum of the parabola
\(2(y + 6)^2 = 36x\).

Solution:
Given the equation of the parabola: \(2(y + 6)^2 = 36x\)

Comparing with the standard form \(x = a(y - k)^2 + h\), we get \(a = \frac{36}{36} = 1\).

The coefficient of \(x\) is positive, so the parabola opens to the right. Also, the axis of symmetry is along the
positive \(x\)-axis.

Therefore,
- Focus of the parabola is \((h + \frac{1}{4a}, k) = (\frac{9}{4}, -6)\).
- Equation of the directrix is \(y = k - \frac{1}{4a}\), i.e., \(y = -6 - \frac{1}{4}\).
- Length of the latus rectum = \(\frac{1}{a} = 1\).

Q3. Which equation represents a parabola that has a focus of \((0, 0)\) and a directrix of \(y = 5\)?

Solution:
Given that the focus is \((0, 0)\) and the directrix is \(y = 5\).

Let \((x, y)\) be a point on the parabola. Its distance from the focus point \((0, 0)\) is \(\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}\), and its
distance from the directrix \(y = 5\) is \(|y - 5|\).

By the definition of a parabola, these two distances are the same. So, \(\sqrt{x^2 + y^2} = |y - 5|\).

Squaring on both sides, we get \(x^2 + y^2 = (y - 5)^2\).

Q4. Find coordinates of the focus, axis, the equation of the directrix, and latus rectum of the parabola
\(y^2 = 30x\).

Solution:
Given the equation of the parabola: \(y^2 = 30x\)

Comparing with the standard form \(y^2 = 4ax\), we have \(4a = 30 \implies a = \frac{30}{4} = 7.5\).
The coefficient of \(x\) is positive, so the parabola opens to the right. Also, the axis of symmetry is along the
positive \(x\)-axis.

Therefore,
- Focus of the parabola is \((a, 0) = (7.5, 0)\).
- Equation of the directrix is \(x = -a\), i.e., \(x = -7.5\).
- Length of the latus rectum = \(4a = 4(7.5) = 30\).

Q5. Find the equation of the parabola which is symmetric about the y-axis and passes through the
point \((-2, 5)\).

Solution:
Given that the parabola is symmetric about the y-axis and passes through \((-2, 5)\).

Since the parabola is symmetric about the y-axis, its equation can be of the form \(x^2 = 4ay\) or \(x^2 = -4ay\),
depending on whether it opens upward or downward.

Since the point \((-2, 5)\) lies in the second quadrant, the parabola must open downward. Thus, the equation is
\(x^2 = -4ay\).

Substituting \((-2, 5)\) in the equation, we get \((-2)^2 = -4a(5)\), which gives \(4 = -20a\) and \(a = -\frac{1}{5}\).

Hence, the equation of the parabola is \(x^2 = -4(-\frac{1}{5})y\), which simplifies to \(x^2 = \frac{4}{5}y\).

Practice Problems
Q1. Find the focus of the parabola \(x^2 = 25y\).
a. \((0, -5)\)
b. \((0, 5)\)
c. \((5, 0)\)
d. \((-5, 0)\)
Answer: b. \((0, 5)\)

Q2. Find the length of the latus rectum of the parabola \(y^2 = 8x\).
a. \(8\)
b. \(4\)
c. \(16\)
d. \(12\)
Answer: a. \(8\)

Q3. Which of the following is the standard form equation of a horizontal parabola?
a. \(y = ax^2 + bx + c\)
b. \(x = ay^2 + by + c\)
c. \(y = a(x - h)^2 + k\)
d. \(x = a(y - k)^2 + h\)
Answer: c. \(y = a(x - h)^2 + k\)

Q4. What is the vertex form equation of a parabola with a vertex at \((-1, 2)\) and a vertical axis of
symmetry?
a. \(y = a(x + 1)^2 + 2\)
b. \(x = a(y - 2)^2 - 1\)
c. \(y = ax^2 + bx + c\)
d. \(x = ay^2 + by + c\)
Answer: a. \(y = a(x + 1)^2 + 2\)

Q5. Which of the following is the focus-directrix form equation of a parabola?

a. \(y = x^2\)
b. \(x = y^2\)
c. \((x - 3)^2 / 4 = y + 1\)
d. \((y + 2)^2 / 4 = x - 1\)
Answer: d. \((y + 2)^2 / 4 = x - 1\)

Q6. What is the standard form equation of a parabola with a focus at \((0, -3)\) and a directrix \(y = 3\)?
a. \(y = 6x^2\)
b. \(y = x^2 - 6\)
c. \(x^2 = 6y\)
d. \(y = x^2 + 6\)
Answer: c. \(x^2 = 6y\)

Q7. What are the coordinates of the vertex of the parabola represented by the equation \(y = -2x^2 + 4x
- 1\)?
a. \((1, 2)\)
b. \((1, -2)\)
c. \((2, 1)\)
d. \((-2, 1)\)
Answer: c. \((2, 1)\)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is a parabola?
Answer: A parabola is a type of curve that forms a U-shape. It is defined as the set of all points in a plane that
are equidistant from a fixed point (the focus) and a fixed line (the directrix). Parabolas have many applications
in mathematics, physics, engineering, and other fields.

Q2. How do you find the focus and directrix of a parabola?

Answer: To find the focus and directrix of a parabola, you need to know its equation in standard form. For a
parabola with equation \(y^2 = 4ax\) or \(x^2 = 4ay\), the focus is located at \((a, 0)\) or \((0, a)\) respectively,
and the directrix is the line \(x = -a\) or \(y = -a\) respectively.

Q3. What is the vertex of a parabola?

Answer: The vertex of a parabola is the point where the parabola intersects its axis of symmetry. It is the
highest or lowest point on the curve depending on whether the parabola opens upwards or downwards. The
vertex is also the point where the derivative of the parabola is zero.

Q4. How do you determine the direction in which a parabola opens?

Answer: The direction in which a parabola opens depends on the sign of the coefficient \(a\) in its equation. If
\(a\) is positive, the parabola opens upwards, and if \(a\) is negative, the parabola opens downwards. This can
be determined by looking at the coefficient of the squared term in the equation of the parabola.

Q5. What is the axis of symmetry of a parabola?

Answer: The axis of symmetry of a parabola is a vertical line that passes through its vertex, dividing the
parabola into two symmetric halves. It is perpendicular to the directrix and passes through the focus of the
parabola. The equation of the axis of symmetry is \(x = h\) for a parabola in vertex form \(y = a(x - h)^2 + k\),
where \((h, k)\) is the vertex.