PARABOLA

Prepared by : Mr. Jaymel Briones

Lecturer, Pre-calculus
 Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes ofofthe
the Lesson
Lesson

(1) define a parabola;

(2) determine the standard form of equation of a
parabola;
(3) graph a parabola in a rectangular coordinate
system; and
(4) solve situational problems involving conic sections
(parabolas).
 
 LearningPARABOLA
Outcomes of the Lesson

Set of points in a plane that

are equidistant from a fixed
point (F) and fixed line (L)
not containing F.  
• The fixed point is called
focus.
• The fixed line is called
directrix.
 Important information
Learning Outcomes ofabout parabola
the Lesson
•  Point Focus = Point Directrix
PF = PD
• The parabola has one axis of symmetry, which
intersects the parabola at its vertex
• “” is always the distance from the focus to the
vertex, or the distance from the vertex to the
directrix.
• The vertex is the midpoint between the focus
and the directrix.

Latus Rectum (LR) – a chord of a conic section passes through a focus and
is parallel to the directrix.
 STANDARD FORM
Learning
OF Outcomes
EQUATION OF Aof the Lesson
PARABOLA
For a parabola with the axis of symmetry parallel to the y-axis and
vertex at (h, k), the standard form is …

(x - h) = 4a(y - k)
2 h=k+a

• axis of symmetry: x = h.
• focus:: (h, k + a)
• directrix: y = k - a y=k-a

• When a is positive, • When a is negative,

the parabola opens upward. the parabola opens downward.
 STANDARD FORM
Learning
OF Outcomes
EQUATION OF Aof the Lesson
PARABOLA
For a parabola with the axis of symmetry parallel to the x-axis and
vertex at (h, k), the standard form is …

(y - k) = 4a(x - h)
2

(h + a, k)
• axis of symmetry: y = k.
• focus:: (h + a, k)
• directrix: x = h - a x=h-a

• When a is positive, • When a is negative,

the parabola opens to the right. the parabola opens to the left.
 STANDARD FORM
Learning
OF Outcomes
EQUATION OF Aof the Lesson
PARABOLA
(Vertex (h,k))
Axis of
Equation Graph Focus Directrix
Symmetry

(h, k + a) y=k-a x=h

(h, k - a) y=k+a x=h

 (h
 (h +
+ a,
a, k)
k) xx =
= hh -- aa yy =
= kk

(h
(h -- a,
a, k)
k) xx =
= hh +
+ aa yy =
= kk
 STANDARD FORM
Learning
OF Outcomes
EQUATION OF Aof the Lesson
PARABOLA
(Vertex (0,0))
Axis of
Equation Graph Focus Directrix
Symmetry

(0, a) y=–a x=0

(0, - a)  y=a x=0

  
xx =
= -- aa yy =
= 00
(a,
(a, 0)0)

(-
(- a,
a, 0)
0) xx =
= aa yy =
= 00
 GRAPHING A PARABOLA
Learning Outcomes ofINthe
A CARTESIAN
Lesson
PLANE
• Step 1: Make sure that the equation is in standard form
• Step 2: Locate the focus
• Step 3: Draw the directrix
• Step 4: Locate the vertex (h,k)
• Step 5: Locate two points that satisfy the definition of a
parabola
• Step 6: Connect the points in a smooth curve
 EXAMPLE
Learning Outcomes of1the Lesson
••  
Findthe vertex, focus, directrix, and axis of symmetry
of the given parabola .
Solution:
 
4a=4
Vertex: (0,0)
Focus: (0,1) a =1 unit
Directrix: y = -1
Axis of symmetry: x = 0.
 EXAMPLE
Learning Outcomes of2the Lesson
••  
Sketch the grapgh of the parabola with equation .
Indicate its focus, directrix,, axis of symmetry and latus
rectum.
Solution:
 
Vertex: (0,0)
4a=2 focus: (1/2,0)
Directrix: x = -1/2
a =1/2 unit Axis of symmetry: y = 0
LR = 2
 EXAMPLE
Learning Outcomes of3the Lesson
••  
Find the vertex, focus, directrix, and axis of symmetry
given the equation of the parabola .
Solution:
 
4a=-2
Vertex: (-1,1)
Focus: (h, k-a) a = -1/2 unit
(-1, 1/2,) x = -1

Axis of symmetry: x = -1
Directrix: y =(k+a) y = 1/2
 EXAMPLE
Learning Outcomes of4the Lesson
• Find the standard and general equation of the parabola
with a focus at (2,4), and the directrix at x = 8.
Solution:

the distance from the focus to the directrix is 6 units, therefore,

 
 
2a = 6
or
a = 3 units
 EXAMPLE
Learning Outcomes of4the Lesson
• Find the standard and general equation of the parabola
with a focus at (2,4), and the directrix at x = 8.
Solution:  
Vertex (5, 4)
 

standard form

general form
axis of symmetry is y = 4
 EXAMPLE
Learning Outcomes of5the Lesson
• Find the latus rectum and the equation of the parabola
that has a minimum at (-2, 6) and passes through the
point (6,14). Sketch the graph.
• Solution:
 
, where x=6, y=14
 

standard form
 EXAMPLE
Learning Outcomes of5the Lesson
• Find the latus rectum and the equation of the parabola
that has a minimum at (-2, 6) and passes through the
point (6,14). Sketch the graph.
• Solution:
• Focus (h, k+a)
(-2, 6+2)
Focus (-2, 8)
 Situational
LearningProblem Involving
Outcomes Parabolas
of the Lesson
• The cable of a suspension bridge hangs in the shape of a
parabola. The towers supporting the cable are 400 ft apart and
150 ft high. If the cable, at its lowest, is 30 ft above the bridge
at its midpoint, how high is the cable 50 ft away (horizontally)
from either tower?
 Situational
LearningProblem Involving
Outcomes Parabolas
of the Lesson

 The parabola has equation or equivalently, y = 0.003+ 30. For the two points on
the parabola 50 ft away from the towers, x = 150 or x = 150. If x = 150, then
y = 0.003( ) + 30 = 97.5
 
Thus, the cable is 97.5 ft high 50 ft away from either tower. (As expected, we get
the same answer from x = −150.)

A satellite dish is an ideal example
of a parabola.

Why would this shape allow the
satellite to recieve the maximum
signal?
Can you think of other ways parabolas are used in
everyday items?
Suspension bridges depend
on parabolically curved cables
to support the weight of the
road bed of the bridge.

The weight of the bridge is

evenly distributed among the
support cables which run
parallel to the axis of
symmetry, similar to the
paths of rays reflected off
the surface of parabolic
reflectors. The Golden Gate bridge is a suspension bridge
in San Francisco, California. The towers are
1280 meters apart and rise 160 meters above
the road.
Fun parabola sitings!
 References
Learning Outcomes of the Lesson
Bacani, Jerico B. Teaching Guide for Senior High School: Precalculus. Sunshine
Interlink Publishing House. 3F Maine City Tower, 236 Tomas Morato Avenue,
South Triangle, Quezon City, Philippines.

Licuanan, Patricia B. Ph.D. Teaching Guide for Senior High School: Precalculus.
Published by the Commission on Higher Education, 2016. 4th Floor, Commission
on Higher Education, C.P. Garcia Ave., Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.

Comandante, F. Jr. (2000). Analytic geometry. Mandaluyong: Cacho Hermanos

Inc.

Leithold, L. (1981). The calculus with analytic geometry. New York: Harper &
Row.