Equation of a parabola in its standard form

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AS = AK Distance of A from the focus = Distance A from the directrix A lies on the parabola Let SK = 2a then AS = AK = a Since SK = AS + AK Choose A = (0,0) the origin. AS is the x-axis, and let AY perpendicular AS be the y-axis ( stands for perpendicular) Coordinates of S = (0,0). Equation of the directrix is a line parallel to the y-axis at a distance of a from it. x = -a since ZZ1 is to the left of the y-axis

Let P be a point on the parabola. Join SP. Draw PM and PN perpendicular to ZZ1 and the x-axis, respectively. Then PM = NK

= AK + AN = x+a Now P lies on the parabola.

1. Symmetry: For every positive value of x, there are two equal and opposite values of y. So the curve is symmetric about the positive part of the x-axis to the right of the y-axis. 2. Region: For every negative value of x, y is imaginary. Therefore, no points of the curve lie to the left of the yaxis. 3. Origin: The curve passes through the origin.

4. Intersection with the axes: The curve meets the coordinate axes only at the origin.

The distance of a point P(x, y) from the focus S is called the focal distance of the point P. S = (a, 0)

=x+a The other standard forms of the parabola are y2 = - 4ax x2 = 4ay x2 = -4ay The different forms of these parabolas are drawn below

i.

y2= 4ax

ii. y2= -4ax

iii. x2 = 4ay

iv x2 = -4ay

For these four standard forms, certain corresponding results are given below.

y2 = 4ax Coordinates of the Vertex Coordinates of the Focus Equation of the Directrix Equation of the Axis Length of the Latus Rectum Focal Distance of a point P(x,Y)

y2 = -4ax

x2 = 4ay

x2 = -4ay

(0,0)

(0,0)

(0,0)

(0,0)

(a,0)

(-a,0)

(0,a)

(0,-a)

x = -a

x=a

y = -a

y=a

y=0

y=0

x=0

x=0

4a

4a

4a

4a

x+a

a-x

y+a

ya

Focus, directrix, latus rectum, axis for a given parabola Example 3: For the following parabolas find the coordinates of the foci, equations of directorices and the lengths of the latus rectum.
1. y = 8x 2. x = 6y 3. y = -12x 4. x = - 16y
2 2 2 2

To find the vertex, focus, axis, directrix, latus rectum of parabolas reducible to one of the four standard forms Example 4: Find the vertex, axis, focus, directrix and latus rectum of the following parabolas.
1. y - 8y - x + 19 = 0 2. 4y + 12x - 20y + 67 = 0 3. y = x - 2x + 3
2 2 2

Shifting the origin to the point (3, 4) we denote the coordinates with respect to new axes by X and Y. x-3=X then x = X + 3 y-4=Y y=Y+4

where (x,y) represent points with respect to the original axes. Equation (1) becomes

Vertex: With respect to the new axes, the vertex is (X = 0, Y = 0) or (0,0) With respect to the old axes x=0+3y=0+4 x = 3, or (3, 4) y=4

Axis: With respect to the new axes Y=0 With respect to the old axes y=Y+4 y=0+4 y=4

Focus: With respect to the new axes (a, 0) = (1/4, 0) With respect to the old axes x=X+3 = 1/4 + 3 = 13/4 y=Y+4 =0+4 =4 Focus (13/4, 4)

Directrix:

With respect to the new axes X = -a X = -1/4 With respect to the old axes x=X+3 = -1/4 + 3 = 11/4

Latus rectum: 4a = 1 We can draw the curve as follows.

Shifting the origin to the point (-7/2, 5/2) denoting the new coordinates with respect to these axes by X and Y. x + 7/2 = X, y-5/2 = Y x = X - 7/2, y = Y + 5/2 Using these relations, Equation (1) reduces to y2 = - 3X This is of the form Y2 = - 4aX - 4a = -3 a = 3/4 Vertex:

Coordinates of the vertex with respect to the new axes are (0, 0) With respect to old axes x = X - 7/2 = 0 - 7/2 = -7/2 y = Y + 5/2 = 0 + 5/2 = 5/2 Vertex (-7/2, 5/2)

Axis: With respect to the new axes Y=0 With respect to old axes y = Y + 5/2 = 0 + 5/2 y = 5/2 or 2y - 5 = 0

Focus: With respect to the new axes (-a, 0)

With respect to the old axes x = X - 7/2 = -3/4 - 7/2

=
= -17/4 y = Y + 5/2 y = 0 + 5/2 y = 5/2 Focus (-17/4, 5/2)

Directrix: With respect to the new axes X = a = 3/4 With respect to the old axes x = X - 7/2 = 3/4 - 7/2

=
= -11/4

Latus rectum:

4a = 3 The curve is given below.

4a = 1 a = 1/4

Vertex: With respect to the new axes X = 0, Y = 0 With respect to the old axes x=0+1 x=1 y=0+2 y=2

Vertex = (1, 2)

Focus: With respect to the new axe (0, a) = (0, 1/4) With respect to the old axes x=0+1 =1 y = 1/4 + 2 = 9/4 Focus (1, 9/4)

Axis: With respect to the new axes, X = 0 With respect to the old axes x=X+1 =0+1 x=1 or x-1 = 0

Directrix:

With respect to the new axes Y = -a = -1/4 With respect to the old axes y=Y+2 = -1/4 + 2 y = 7/4 Latus rectum: 4a = 1 The figure of the parabola is given below..

Try these questions I. Find the equation of the parabola whose i. Focus = (1, 1) Directrix is x + y + 1= 0.

ii. Focus = (2, 3) Directrix is x - 4y + 3= 0 iii. Focus = (-1, -2) Directrix is x - 2y + 1= 0

II. Find the vertex, focus, axis, directrix and latus rectum of the following parabolas. Also, give a rough sketch of the curve. i. y2 = 12x

ii. 4x2 + y = 0 iii. y2 - 4y - 3x + 1 = 0 iv. x2 + y = 6x - 14 v. 4(y-1)2 = -7(x-3) Answers I Solutions

i. Let P(x,y) be a point on the parabola

S = (1,1) Directrix = x + y + 1 PM = length of the perpendicular from point P on the directrix

ii. Let P(x,y) be a point on the parabola

Focus S = (2,3) Directrix = x - 4y + 3 = 0 PM = length of the perpendicular from point P on the directrix

iii Let P(x,y) be a point on the parabola whose focus S = (-1, -2) .
and directrix = x - 2y + 1= 0 PM = the perpendicular from point P on to the directrix

IIi.

ii.

iii .

Vertex: With respect to the new axes (X, Y) = (0, 0) With respect to the old axes x = 0 - 1 = -1 y=0+2=2 Vertex (-1, 2)

Axis: With respect to the new axes Y = 0 With respect to the old axes y=Y+2 =0+2 y=2 or y-2 = 0

Focus: With respect to the new axes focus = (a, 0)=7:12 AM 9/19/2004(3/4, 0) With respect to the old axes x=X-1 = 3/4 - 1 = 3-4/4 = -1/4 y=Y+2 =0+2 =2 Focus (-1/4, 2)

Directrix: With respect to the new axes X = -a = -3/4 With respect to the old axes x=X-1 = -3/4 - 1 = -3-4/4 x = -7/4 or 4x + 7 = 0

Latus Rectum: 4a = 3 The figure is as follows

iv.

Vertex: With respect to the new axes (X, Y) = (0, 0) With respect to the old axes x=x+3 =0+3 =3 y=Y-5 =0-5 = -5 Vertex (3, -5)

Axis: With respect to the new axes X = 0 With respect to the old axes x=X+3 =0+3 x=3 or x-3 = 0

Focus: With respect to the new axes Focus S = (0,-a) = (0,-1/4) With respect to the old axes x=X+3 =0+3 =3 y=Y-5 = -1/4 - 5 = -1-20/4 = -21/4 Focus S = (3, -21/4)

Directrix: With respect to the new axes Y = +a = 1/4 With respect to the old axes y=Y-5 = 1/4 - 5 = 1-20/4 y = -19/4 or 4y + 19= 0

Latus Rectum: 4a = 1 The figure is as follows

v.

x=0+3 =3 y=0+1 =1 Vertex (3,1)

Axis: With respect to the new axes Y = 0 With respect to the old axes y=0+1 =1 or y - 1 = 0

Focus: With respect to the new axes = (-a, 0), (-7/16, 0) With respect to the old axes x=X+3 = -7/16 + 3

= 41/16 y=Y+1 =0+1 =1 Focus (41/16, 1)

Directrix: With respect to the new axes X=a = 7/16 x=X+3 = 7/16 + 3

=
x = 55/16 or 16x - 55 = 0

Latus Rectum: 4a = 7/4 The figure is as follows