618 Chapter 9

Section 9.3 Parabolas and Non-Linear Systems

To listen for signals from space, a radio telescope uses a dish in the
shape of a parabola to focus and collect the signals in the receiver.

While we studied parabolas earlier when we explored quadratics, at the

time we didn’t discuss them as a conic section. A parabola is the
shape resulting from when a plane parallel to the side of the cone
intersects the cone6.

Parabola Definition and Vocabulary

A parabola with vertex at the origin can be defined by placing a fixed point at
F (0, p) called the focus, and drawing a line at y = − p , called the directrix. The
parabola is the set of all points Q(x, y ) that are an equal distance between the fixed
point and the directrix.
y Axis of
y symmetry
Q Focus
(0,p)

Vertex Directrix
y=-p x
x
For general parabolas,
The axis of symmetry is the line passing through the foci, perpendicular to the
directrix.
The vertex is the point where the parabola crosses the axis of symmetry.
The distance from the vertex to the focus, p, is the focal length.

6
Pbroks13 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Conic_sections_with_plane.svg), “Conic sections
with plane”, cropped to show only parabola, CC BY 3.0
 Section 9.3 Parabolas and Non-Linear Systems 619

Equations for Parabolas with Vertex at the Origin

From the definition above we can find an equation of a parabola. We will find it for a
parabola with vertex at the origin, C(0,0) , opening upward with focus at F (0, p) and
directrix at y = − p .

Suppose Q(x, y ) is some point on the parabola. The distance from Q to the focus is
d (Q, F ) = (x − 0)2 + ( y − p )2 = x2 + (y − p)
2

The distance from the point Q to the directrix is the difference of the y-values:
d = y − (− p) = y + p

From the definition of the parabola, these distances should be equal:

x2 + (y − p) = y + p
2
Square both sides
x2 + ( y − p) = ( y + p)
2 2
Expand
x 2 + y 2 − 2 py + p 2 = y 2 + 2 py + p 2 Combine like terms
x = 4 py
2

This is the standard conic form of a parabola that opens up or down (vertical axis of
symmetry), centered at the origin. Note that if we divided by 4p, we would get a more
x2
familiar equation for the parabola, y = . We can recognize this as a transformation of
4p
1
the parabola y = x 2 , vertically compressed or stretched by .
4p

Using a similar process, we could find an equation of a parabola with vertex at the origin
opening left or right. The focus will be at (p,0) and the graph will have a horizontal axis
of symmetry and a vertical directrix. The standard conic form of its equation will be
y2
y 2 = 4 px , which we could also write as x = .
4p

Example 1
Write the standard conic equation for a parabola with vertex at the origin and focus at
(0, -2).

With focus at (0, -2), the axis of symmetry is vertical, so the standard conic equation is
x 2 = 4 py . Since the focus is (0, -2), p = -2.

The standard conic equation for the parabola is x 2 = 4(−2) y , or

620 Chapter 9

x 2 = −8 y
For parabolas with vertex not at the origin, we can shift these equations, leading to the
equations summarized next.

Equation of a Parabola with Vertex at (h, k) in Standard Conic Form

The standard conic form of an equation of a parabola with vertex at the point (h, k )
depends on whether the axis of symmetry is horizontal or vertical. The table below
gives the standard equation, vertex, axis of symmetry, directrix, focus, and graph for
each.

Horizontal Vertical
Standard
Equation
( y − k )2 = 4 p(x − h) (x − h)2 = 4 p( y − k )

Vertex (h, k) (h, k)

Axis of
y=k x=h
symmetry

Directrix x=h-p y=k-p

(h, k + p)
Focus (h + p, k)

An example with p < 0 An example with p > 0

x=h-p
y
y x=h

(h,k+p)
Graph y=k (h,k)

(h+p,k) (h,k)
y=k-p

x x

Since you already studied quadratics in some depth earlier, we will primarily explore the
new concepts associated with parabolas, particularly the focus.
 Section 9.3 Parabolas and Non-Linear Systems 621

Example 2
Put the equation of the parabola y = 8( x − 1) 2 + 2 in standard conic form. Find the
vertex, focus, and axis of symmetry.

From your earlier work with quadratics, you may already be able to identify the vertex
as (1,2), but we’ll go ahead and put the parabola in the standard conic form. To do so,
we need to isolate the squared factor.
y = 8( x − 1) 2 + 2 Subtract 2 from both sides
y − 2 = 8( x − 1) 2 Divide by 8
( y − 2) = ( x − 1) 2
8

This matches the general form for a vertical parabola, (x − h ) = 4 p( y − k ) , where

2

1 1
4 p = . Solving this tells us p = . The standard conic form of the equation is
8 32
(x − 1)2 = 4 1 ( y − 2) .
 32 

The vertex is at (1,2). The axis of symmetry is at x = 1.

1 63
The directrix is at y = 2 − = .
32 32
 1   65 
The focus is at 1,2 +  = 1,  .
 32   32 

Example 3
A parabola has its vertex at (1,5) and focus at (3,5). Find an equation for the parabola.

Since the vertex and focus lie on the line y = 5, that is our axis of symmetry.

The vertex (1,5) tells us h = 1 and k = 5.

Looking at the distance from the vertex to the focus, p = 3 – 1 = 2.

622 Chapter 9

Substituting these values into the standard conic form of an

equation for a horizontal parabola gives the equation
( y − 5)2 = 4(2)(x − 1)
( y − 5)2 = 8(x − 1)
Note this could also be rewritten by solving for x, resulting in
1
x = ( y − 5) + 1
2

8
Try it Now
1. A parabola has its vertex at (-2,3) and focus at (-2,2). Find an equation for this
parabola.

Applications of Parabolas

In an earlier section, we learned that ellipses have a special property

that a ray eminating from one focus will be reflected back to the
other focus, the property that enables the whispering chamber to
work. Parabolas also have a special property, that any ray
eminating from the focus will be reflected parallel to the axis of
symmetry. Reflectors in flashlights take advantage of this property
to focus the light from the bulb into a collimated beam. The same
property can be used in reverse, taking parallel rays of sunlight or
radio signals and directing them all to the focus.

Example 4
A solar cooker is a parabolic dish that reflects the sun’s rays to a central point allowing
you to cook food. If a solar cooker has a parabolic dish 16 inches in diameter and 4
inches tall, where should the food be placed?

We need to determine the location of the focus, since y

that’s where the food should be placed. Positioning the
base of the dish at the origin, the shape from the side 4
looks like:
8 x
The standard conic form of an equation for the parabola would be x 2 = 4 py . The
parabola passes through (8, 4), so substituting that into the equation, we can solve for p:
82 = 4( p)(4)
82
p= =4
16
 Section 9.3 Parabolas and Non-Linear Systems 623

The focus is 4 inches above the vertex. This makes for a very convenient design, since
then a grate could be placed on top of the dish to hold the food.

Try it Now
2. A radio telescope is 100 meters in diameter and 20 meters deep. Where should the
receiver be placed?

Non-Linear Systems of Equations

In many applications, it is necessary to solve for the intersection of two curves. Many of
the techniques you may have used before to solve systems of linear equations will work
for non-linear equations as well, particularly substitution. You have already solved some
examples of non-linear systems when you found the intersection of a parabola and line
while studying quadratics, and when you found the intersection of a circle and line while
studying circles.

Example 4
x2 y2
= 1 intersects the circle x + y = 9 .
2 2
Find the points where the ellipse +
4 25

To start, we might multiply the ellipse equation by 100 on both sides to clear the
fractions, giving 25 x 2 + 4 y 2 = 100 .

A common approach for finding intersections is substitution. With these equations,

2
rather than solving for x or y, it might be easier to solve for x or y 2 . Solving the circle
2 2
equation for x gives x 2 = 9 − y 2 . We can then substitute that expression for x into
the ellipse equation.

25 x 2 + 4 y 2 = 100 Substitute x 2 = 9 − y 2
( )
25 9 − y 2 + 4 y 2 = 100 Distribute
225 − 25 y 2 + 4 y 2 = 100 Combine like terms
− 21 y 2 = −125 Divide by -21
125
y2 = Use the square root to solve
21
125 5 5
y= =
21 21
624 Chapter 9

We can substitute each of these y values back in to x 2 = 9 − y 2 to find x

2
 125  125 189 125 64
x = 9 − 
2
 =9−
 = − =
 21  21 21 21 21
64 8
x= =
21 21
 8 5 5
There are four points of intersection:   , .

 21 21 

It’s worth noting there is a second technique we could have

used in the previous example, called elimination. If we multiplied the circle equation by
-4 to get − 4 x 2 − 4 y 2 = −36 , we can then add it to the ellipse equation, eliminating the
variable y.
25 x 2 + 4 y 2 = 100
− 4 x 2 − 4 y 2 = −36 Add the left sides, and add the right sides
21 x 2 = 64 Solve for x
64 8
x= =
21 21

Example 5
y2 x2
= 1 intersects the parabola y = 2x .
2
Find the points where the hyperbola −
4 9

We can solve this system of equations by substituting y = 2x 2 into the hyperbola

equation.
(2 x 2 ) 2 x 2
− =1 Simplify
4 9
4x4 x2
− =1 Simplify, and multiply by 9
4 9
9x4 − x2 = 9 Move the 9 to the left
9x4 − x2 − 9 = 0

While this looks challenging to solve, we can think of it as a “quadratic in disguise,”

since x 4 = (x 2 ) 2 . Letting u = x , the equation becomes
2

9u 2 − u − 9 = 0 Solve using the quadratic formula

− (−1)  (−1) 2 −4(9)(−9) 1  325
u= = Solve for x
2(9) 18
 Section 9.3 Parabolas and Non-Linear Systems 625

1  325
x2 = But 1 − 325  0 , so
18
1+ 325
x= This leads to two real solutions
18
x ≈ 1.028, -1.028

Substituting these into y = 2x 2 , we can find the corresponding y values.

The curves intersect at the points (1.028, 2.114) and (-1.028, 2.114).

Try it Now
y2 x2
3. Find the points where the line y = 4 x intersect the ellipse − =1
4 16

Solving for the intersection of two hyperbolas allows us to utilize

the LORAN navigation approach described in the last section.
A B
In our example, stations A and B are 150 kilometers apart and
send a simultaneous radio signal to the ship. The signal from B
arrives 0.0003 seconds before the signal from A. We found the P
equation of the hyperbola in standard form would be
x2 y2 C D
− =1
2025 3600

Example 6
Continuing the situation from the last section, suppose stations C and D are located 200
km due south of stations A and B and 100 km apart. The signal from D arrives 0.0001
x 2 ( y + 200 ) 2
seconds before the signal from C, leading to the equation − = 1 . Find
225 2275
the position of the ship.

To solve for the position of the boat, we need to find where the hyperbolas intersect.
This means solving the system of equations. To do this, we could start by solving both
2
equations for x . With the first equation from the previous example,
x2 y2
− =1 Move the y term to the right
2025 3600
x2 y2
= 1+ Multiply both sides by 2025
2025 3600
626 Chapter 9

2025 y 2
x = 2025 +
2
Simplify
3600
9 y2
x 2 = 2025 +
16

With the second equation, we repeat the same process

x 2 ( y + 200 ) 2
− =1 Move the y term to the right and multiply by 225
225 2275
225 ( y + 200 ) 2
x 2 = 225 + Simplify
2275
9( y + 200 ) 2
x 2 = 225 +
91
2
Now set these two expressions for x equal to each other and solve.

9 y2 9( y + 200 ) 2
2025 + = 225 + Subtract 225 from both sides
16 91
9y 2
9( y + 200 ) 2
1800 + = Divide by 9
16 91
y 2
( y + 200 ) 2
200 + = Multiply both sides by 16  91 = 1456
16 91
291200 + 91 y 2 = 16( y + 200 ) 2 Expand and distribute
291200 + 91 y 2 = 16 y 2 + 6400 y + 640000 Combine like terms on one side
75 y − 6400 y − 348800 = 0
2
Solve using the quadratic formula
− (−6400 )  (−6400 ) 2 −4(75)(−348800 )
y=  123.11 km or -37.78 km
2(75)

We can find the associated x values by substituting these y-values into either hyperbola
equation. When y ≈ 123.11,
9(123 .11) 2
x 2  2025 +
16
x  102 .71

When y ≈ -37.78km,
9(−37 .78) 2
x 2  2025 +
16
x  53.18

This provides 4 possible locations for the ship. Two can be immediately discarded, as
they’re on land. Navigators would use other navigational techniques to decide between
the two remaining locations.
 Section 9.3 Parabolas and Non-Linear Systems 627

Important Topics of This Section

Parabola Definition
Parabola Equations in Standard Form
Applications of Parabolas
Solving Non-Linear Systems of Equations

Try it Now Answers

1. Axis of symmetry is vertical, and the focus is below the vertex.
p = 2 – 3 = -1.
(x − (−2))2 = 4(−1)( y − 3) , or (x + 2)2 = −4( y − 3).

2. The standard conic form of the equation is x 2 = 4 py .

Using (50,20), we can find that 50 2 = 4 p(20) , so p = 31.25 meters.
The receiver should be placed 31.25 meters above the vertex.

3. Substituting y = 4 x gives
(4 x )2 − x 2 = 1 . Simplify
4 16
16 x 2 x 2
− = 1 . Multiply by 16 to get
4 16
64 x 2 − x 2 = 16
16
x= = 0.504
63
Substituting those into y = 4 x gives the corresponding y values.
The curves intersect at (0.504, 2.016) and (-0.504, -2.016).
628 Chapter 9

Section 9.3 Exercises

In problems 1–4, match each graph with one of the equations A–D.
A. y 2 = 4 x B. x 2 = 4 y C. x 2 = 8 y D. y 2 + 4 x = 0

1. 2. 3. 4.

In problems 5–14, find the vertex, axis of symmetry, directrix, and focus of the parabola.
y2
5. y 2 = 16 x 6. x 2 = 12 y 7. y = 2x 2 8. x = −
8

9. x + 4 y 2 = 0 10. 8 y + x 2 = 0 11. ( x − 2) 2 = 8( y + 1)

1 1
12. ( y + 3) 2 = 4( x − 2) 13. y = ( x + 1) 2 + 4 14. x = − ( y + 1) 2 + 1
4 12

In problems 15–16, write an equation for the graph.

15. 16.

In problems 17-20, find the standard form of the equation for a parabola satisfying the
given conditions.
17. Vertex at (2,3), opening to the right, focal length 3

18. Vertex at (-1,2), opening down, focal length 1

19. Vertex at (0,3), focus at (0,4)

20. Vertex at (1,3), focus at (0,3)

 Section 9.3 Parabolas and Non-Linear Systems 629

21. The mirror in an automobile headlight has a parabolic cross-section with the light
bulb at the focus. On a schematic, the equation of the parabola is given as x 2 = 4y 2 .
At what coordinates should you place the light bulb?

22. If we want to construct the mirror from the previous exercise so that the focus is
located at (0,0.25), what should the equation of the parabola be?

23. A satellite dish is shaped like a paraboloid of revolution. This means that it can be
formed by rotating a parabola around its axis of symmetry. The receiver is to be
located at the focus. If the dish is 12 feet across at its opening and 4 feet deep at its
center, where should the receiver be placed?

24. Consider the satellite dish from the previous exercise. If the dish is 8 feet across at
the opening and 2 feet deep, where should we place the receiver?

25. A searchlight is shaped like a paraboloid of revolution. A light source is located 1

foot from the base along the axis of symmetry. If the opening of the searchlight is 2
feet across, find the depth.

26. If the searchlight from the previous exercise has the light source located 6 inches
from the base along the axis of symmetry and the opening is 4 feet wide, find the
depth.

In problems 27–34, solve each system of equations for the intersections of the two
curves.

y = 2x y = x +1
27. 28.
y − x =1
2 2
2x2 + y 2 = 1

x 2 + y 2 = 11 2x2 + y2 = 4
29. 30.
x2 − 4y2 = 1 y2 − x2 = 1

x = y2
y = x2
31. 32. x 2 y 2
y 2 − 6 x 2 = 16 + =1
4 9

x2 − y2 = 1 x 2 = 4( y − 2)
33. 34.
4 y2 − x2 = 1 x 2 = 8( y + 1)
630 Chapter 9

35. A LORAN system has transmitter stations A, B, C, and D at (-125,0), (125,0),

(0, 250), and (0,-250), respectively. A ship in quadrant two computes the difference
of its distances from A and B as 100 miles and the difference of its distances from C
and D as 180 miles. Find the x- and y-coordinates of the ship’s location. Round to
two decimal places.

36. A LORAN system has transmitter stations A, B, C, and D at (-100,0), (100,0),

(-100, -300), and (100,-300), respectively. A ship in quadrant one computes the
difference of its distances from A and B as 80 miles and the difference of its
distances from C and D as 120 miles. Find the x- and y-coordinates of the ship’s
location. Round to two decimal places.