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Lesson 5
The Parabola
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
If the axes are parallel to the x and y axes respectively, then B = 0. Thus,
the above equation becomes
Ax2 + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0
Analytic Geometry 35
1. By Cutting a Plane
Fig. 5.1.1
Fig. 5.1.2
Fig. 5.1.3
Fig. 5.1.4
Analytic Geometry 36
2. By Eccentricity e
a. If e = 0, the conic is a circle.
b. If e = 1, the conic is a parabola.
c. If e < 1, the conic is an ellipse.
d. If e > 1, the conic is a hyperbola.
3. By Equations
4. By Discriminant
The following terms are very important in drawing the graph of a parabola:
Axis of a Parabola
Eccentricity
Eccentricity is defined as the ratio of the distance to the focus to the
distance to the directrix. Since the distance from any point on the parabola to the
focus and the distance from any point on the parabola to the directrix are equal,
the eccentricity of a parabola is e = 1 .
Latus Rectum
The latus rectum is a segment passing through the focus and
perpendicular to the axis of the parabola. The length of the latus rectum is four
times the focal distance. Thus, the length of the latus rectum is LR = 4a .
The standard equation of a parabola whose vertex lies on the origin and
whose axis is parallel to the x-axis is
y2 = �4ax
V F Axis of
0 a Parabola
Latus
Rectum
Directrix
Fig. 5.4.1
Analytic Geometry 38
Now, if the axis is parallel to the y-axis, the standard equation of the parabola is
x2 = �4ay
Axis of
Latus Parabola
Rectum F P(x, y)
V
0 a
Directrix
Fig. 5.4.2
y-axis P(x, y)
V F Axis of
a Parabola
Latus
Rectum
Directrix
x-axis
0
Fig. 5.4.3
y-axis
Axis of
Latus Parabola
Rectum F P(x, y)
V
a
Directrix
x-axis
0
Fig. 5.4.4
Example 5.4.1 Find the focus, directrix, and the length of the latus rectum of the
parabola. Sketch the graph.
1. y2 = 2x
2. 2x2 = 4y
3. 4x2 + 4x – 24y + 37 = 0
4. (x + 1)2 = -2(y – 1)
5. y2 + 4y + 3x – 4 = 0
Example 5.4.2 Find the equation of the parabola satisfying the conditions given.
3. passing through (-4,-6), whose vertex is at (-2,-4), and whose axis is parallel
to the x-axis. Ans:
y + 4 2 = 2 x + 2
4. vertex at (1, 2) and latus rectum 4 opens to the left. Ans. (y - 2)2 = -4(x – 1)
5. vertex at (-2, 3), passing through (0, -2), and axis parallel to the y-axis
Ans. (x + 2)2 = -4/5 (y – 3)
Example 5.4.3 A cable suspended between two posts that are the same height
and 10 meters apart has a sag of 1 meter. If the cable hangs in the form of a
parabola, find its equation, taking the lowest point as the origin.
Ans. x2 = 25y
Analytic Geometry 40
Exercise 5.4.1 Find the focus, directrix, and the length of the latus rectum of the
parabola. Sketch the graph.
1. y2 = -12x
2. 4x2 = 10y
3. 4x2 + 6x = y – 2
4. (x + 2)2 = 2(y – 1)
5. y2 – 6y – 4x + 17 = 0
Exercise 5.4.2 Find the equation of the parabola satisfying the conditions given.
3. passing through (–4, –6) whose vertex is at (–2, –4) and whose axis is
parallel to the x-axis.
Ans.y2 + 2x + 8y + 20 = 0
4. directrix: y + 6 = 0 and focus (0, 0) Ans. y2 + 4x – 4y = 0
5. vertex at (3, -2), ends of latus rectum (5, 0), (5, -4)
Ans. y2 – 4x + 4y – 8 = 0
Exercise 5.4.3
When the load is uniformly distributed horizontally, a suspension bridge cable hangs in a
parabolic arc. If the bridge is 200m long and the tower 40m high and the cable is 15m above the
floor of the bridge at the middle point, find the height of a point on the cable above the floor 20m
from one tower.
y
20 m
40 m
15 m
100 m 100 m