1. Objectives
Write the standard equation of a parabola and its axis of symmetry.
Graph a parabola and identify its focus, directrix, and axis of symmetry.

2. Vocabulary
focus of a parabola
directrix

3. A parabola is the set of all points P(x, y) in a plane that are an equal distance from both a fixed point, the focus, and a fixed line, the directrix. A parabola has a axis of symmetry perpendicular to its directrix and that passes through its vertex. The vertex of a parabola is the midpoint of the perpendicular segment connecting the focus and the directrix.

4. The distance from a point to a line is defined as the length of the line segment from the point perpendicular to the line.
Remember!

5. Previously, you have graphed parabolas with vertical axes of symmetry that open upward or downward. Parabolas may also have horizontal axes of symmetry and may open to the left or right.
The equations of parabolas use the parameter p. The |p| gives the distance from the vertex to both the focus and the directrix.

7. Example 2B: Writing Equations of Parabolas
Write the equation in standard form for the parabola.
vertex (0, 0), directrix x = –6
Step 1 Because the directrix is a vertical line, the equation is in the form The vertex is to the right of the directrix, so the graph will open to the right.

8. Step 2 Because the directrix is x = –6, p = 6 and 4p = 24.
Example 2B Continued
Step 2 Because the directrix is x = –6, p = 6 and 4p = 24.
Step 3 The equation of the parabola is
x = y2 1 24
Check
Use your graphing calculator.

9. Check It Out! Example 2a
Write the equation in standard form for the parabola.
vertex (0, 0), directrix x = 1.25
Step 1 Because the directrix is a vertical line, the equation is in the form of The vertex is to the left of the directrix, so the graph will open to the left.

10. Check It Out! Example 2a Continued
Step 2 Because the directrix is x = 1.25, p = –1.25 and 4p = –5.
Step 3 The equation of the parabola is
Check
Use your graphing calculator.

11. Check It Out! Example 2b
Write the equation in standard form for each parabola.
vertex (0, 0), focus (0, –7)
Step 1 Because the axis of symmetry is vertical and the parabola opens downward, the equation is in the form

12. Check It Out! Example 2b Continued
Step 2 The distance from the focus (0, –7) to the vertex (0, 0) is 7, so p = –7 and 4p = –28.
Step 3 The equation of the parabola is
Check
Use your graphing calculator.

13. The vertex of a parabola may not always be the origin
The vertex of a parabola may not always be the origin. Adding or subtracting a value from x or y translates the graph of a parabola. Also notice that the values of p stretch or compress the graph.

15. Example 3: Graphing Parabolas
Find the vertex, value of p, axis of symmetry, focus, and directrix of the parabola Then graph.
y + 3 = (x – 2)2. 1 8
Step 1 The vertex is (2, –3).
Step , so 4p = 8 and p = 2. 1 4p 8 =

16. Example 3 Continued
Step 3 The graph has a vertical axis of symmetry, with equation x = 2, and opens upward.
Step 4 The focus is (2, –3 + 2), or (2, –1).
Step 5 The directrix is a horizontal line y = –3 – 2, or y = –5.

17. Check It Out! Example 3a
Find the vertex, value of p, axis of symmetry, focus, and directrix of the parabola. Then graph.
Step 1 The vertex is (1, 3).
Step , so 4p = 12 and p = 3. 1 4p 12 =

18. Check It Out! Example 3a Continued
Step 3 The graph has a horizontal axis of symmetry with equation y = 3, and opens right.
Step 4 The focus is (1 + 3, 3), or (4, 3).
Step 5 The directrix is a vertical line x = 1 – 3, or x = –2.

19. Light or sound waves collected by a parabola will be reflected by the curve through the focus of the parabola, as shown in the figure. Waves emitted from the focus will be reflected out parallel to the axis of symmetry of a parabola. This property is used in communications technology.

20. Example 4: Using the Equation of a Parabola
The cross section of a larger parabolic microphone can be modeled by the equation What is the length of the feedhorn?
x = y2. 1
132
The equation for the cross section is in the form
x = y2, 1 4p
so 4p = 132 and p = 33. The focus
should be 33 inches from the vertex of the cross section. Therefore, the feedhorn should be 33 inches long.

21. The equation for the cross section is in the form
Check It Out! Example 4
Find the length of the feedhorn for a microphone with a cross section equation
x = y2. 1 44
The equation for the cross section is in the form
x = y2, 1 4p
so 4p = 44 and p = 11. The focus
should be 11 inches from the vertex of the cross section. Therefore, the feedhorn should be 11 inches long.