Intro To Parabola

•Parabolas
Parabolas
• We saw in Section 4.1 that the graph of
the equation y = ax2 + bx + c is a U-shaped curve called
a parabola that opens either upward or downward—
depending on whether the sign of a is positive or
negative.
• Here, we study parabolas from a geometric rather

than an algebraic point of view.
Parabolas
• We begin with the geometric definition
of a parabola and show how this leads to the
algebraic formula that we are already familiar
with.
Parabola—Geometric Definition
• A parabola is the set of points in the plane
equidistant from a fixed point F (focus) and a
fixed line l (directrix).
• The vertex V lies halfway
between the focus and
the directrix.
• The axis of symmetry is
the line that runs through
the focus perpendicular
to the directrix.
Parabolas
• In this section, we restrict our attention to parabolas
that:
• Are situated with the vertex at the origin.

• Have a vertical or horizontal axis of symmetry.
• Parabolas in more general positions will be considered

in Section 8.4.
Parabolas
• If the focus of such a parabola is the point F(0, p), the
axis of symmetry must be vertical and the directrix has
the equation y = –p.
• The figure
illustrates
the case p > 0.
Parabolas
• If P(x, y) is any point on the parabola,
• The distance from P to the focus F
(using the Distance Formula)
is:
x 2  ( y  p )2
• The distance from
P to the directrix
is:
| y – (–p) | = | y + p |
Parabolas
• By the definition of a parabola, these two
distances must be equal:
x  ( y  p)  y  p
2 2
2
x  ( y  p)  y  p  ( y  p)
2 2 2
x  y  2 py  p  y  2 py  p
2 2 2 2 2
x 2  2 py  2 py
x  4 py
2
Parabolas
• If p > 0, then the parabola opens upward.
• If p < 0, it opens downward.
• When x is replaced by –x, the equation remains

unchanged.
• So, the graph is symmetric about the y-axis.
• Equations and Graphs
of Parabola
Equations and Graphs of Parabola
• We now summarize what we have just

proved about the equation and features of
a parabola with a vertical axis.
Parabola with Vertical Axis
• The graph of the equation
x2 = 4py
is a parabola with these properties.
Vertex V(0, 0)
Focus F(0, p)
Directrix y = –p
Parabola with Vertical Axis
• The parabola opens:
• Upward if p > 0.
• Downward if p < 0.
E.g. 1—Finding the Equation of a Parabola
• Find the equation of the parabola
with vertex V(0, 0) and focus F(0, 2), and
sketch its graph.
• Since the focus is F(0, 2), we conclude that p = 2 (and so the
directrix is y = –2).
• Thus, the equation is: x2 = 4(2)y

x2 = 8y
E.g. 1—Finding
• Since p = 2 >the Equation
0, the ofopens
parabola a Parabola
upward.
E.g. 2—Finding Focus and Directrix from Equation
• Find the focus and directrix of the parabola

y = –x2, and sketch the graph.
• To find the focus and directrix, we put the given equation in
the standard form x2 = –y.
• Comparing this to the general equation x2 = 4py, we see that

4p = –1; so, p = –¼.
• The focus is F(0, –¼) and the directrix is y = ¼.

• Here’s the graph of the parabola, together

with the focus and the directrix.
• We can also draw the graph using

a graphing calculator.
Equations and Graphs of Parabola
• Reflecting the graph in this figure about
the diagonal line y = x has the effect of interchanging
the roles of x and y.
• This results in
a parabola with
horizontal axis.
• By the same method
as before, we can
prove the following
properties.
Parabola with Horizontal Axis
• The graph of the equation
y2 = 4px
is a parabola with these properties.
Vertex V(0, 0)
Focus F(p, 0)
Directrix x = –p
Parabola with Horizontal Axis
• The parabola opens:
• To the right if p > 0.
• To the left if p < 0.
E.g. 3—Parabola with Horizontal Axis
• A parabola has the equation
6x + y2 = 0
(a) Find the focus and directrix of the parabola,

and sketch the graph.
(b) Use a graphing calculator to draw the graph.

Example (a)
E.g. 3—Parabola with Horiz. Axis
• We put the given equation
in the standard form y2 = –6x.
• Comparing this to the general equation
y2 = 4px, we see that 4p = –6; so, p = (–3/2).
• The focus is F(–3/2, 0) and the directrix

is x = 3/2.
Example (a)
E.g. 3—Parabola with
• Since p < 0, the Horiz.opens
parabola Axis
to the left.
Example (b)
• To draw the graph using a graphing
calculator, we need to solve for y.
•
6x + y2 = 0
• y2 = –6x
y   6 x
• To obtain the graph of the parabola, Example (b)
we graph both functions.
Note • The equation y2 = 4px does not define
y as a function of x.
• So, to use a graphing calculator to graph
a parabola with horizontal axis, we must first
solve for y.
• This leads to two functions
• We need to graph both

to get the complete graph of the parabola.
y  4 px and y   4 px
y  6 x and y   6 x
Width of Parabola
• We can use the coordinates of the focus
to estimate the “width” of a parabola when
sketching its graph.
• The line segment that runs through the focus perpendicular

to the axis—with endpoints on
the parabola—is called the latus rectum.
• Its length is the focal diameter of the parabola.

Width of Parabola
• From the figure, we can see that the distance from an
endpoint Q of the latus rectum to
the directrix is | 2p |.
• So, the distance from Q

to the focus must be | 2p |
as well (by the definition
of a parabola).
• Hence, the focal diameter
is | 4p |.
Width of Parabola
• In the next example, we use the focal

diameter to determine the “width”
of a parabola when graphing it.
E.g. 4—Focal Diameter of a Parabola
• Find the focus, directrix, and focal
diameter of the parabola y = ½x2,
and sketch its graph.
• We put the equation in the form x2 = 4py.

y = ½x2
x2 = 2y
• We see that 4p = 2.
• So, the focal diameter is 2.
E.g. 4—Focal
• Solving for pDiameter
gives p = ½. of a Parabola
• So, the focus is (0, ½) and the directrix

is y = –½ .
• Since the focal diameter is 2, the latus rectum extends

1 unit to the left and 1 unit to the right
of the focus.
E.g. 4—Focal Diameter of a Parabola
• Here’s the graph.
Family of Parabolas
• In the next example, we graph a family
of parabolas—to show how changing
the distance between the focus and
the vertex affects the “width” of a parabola.
E.g. 5—Family of Parabolas
• (a) Find equations for the parabolas
with vertex at the origin and foci
F1 0, 1
8 , F2 0, 1
2 , F3 0, 1, F4 (0, 4)
• (b) Draw the graphs of the parabolas in (a).
• What do you conclude?

Example (a)
• Since the foci are on the positive y-axis,
the parabolas open upward and have equations of the
form x2 = 4py.
• This leads to the following equations.

Example (b)
• We see that
the closer
the focus to
the vertex,
the narrower
the parabola.
• Applications
Applications
• Parabolas have an important property

that makes them useful as reflectors for
lamps and telescopes.
Applications
• Light from a source placed at the focus of
a surface with parabolic cross section will be reflected
in such a way that it travels parallel to the axis of the
parabola.
• Thus, a parabolic mirror

reflects the light into
a beam of parallel rays.
Reflection Property
• Conversely, light approaching the reflector in

rays parallel to its axis of symmetry is
concentrated to the focus.
• This reflection property—which can

be proved using calculus—is used in
the construction of reflecting telescopes.
E.g. 6—Focal Point of a Searchlight Reflector
• A searchlight has
a parabolic reflector
that forms a “bowl,”
12 in. wide from rim
to rim and 8 in. deep.
• If the filament of the light bulb is located

at the focus, how far from the vertex
of the reflector is it?
• We introduce a coordinate system and

place a parabolic cross section of the reflector so that:
• Its vertex is at the origin.
• Its axis is vertical.
• Then, the equation of this parabola has the
form x2 = 4py.
• We see that
the point (6, 8) lies on
the parabola.
• We use this to find p.

• 62 = 4p(8)
36 = 32p
p = (9/8)
• The focus is F(0, (9/8)). 9
 1 1
• So, the distance between the8 vertex8
and the focus is in.

18 1
• Since the filament is positioned at the focus,
it is located in. from the vertex of the reflector.

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Intro To Parabola

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•Parabolas

• Here, we study parabolas from a geometric rather

• Are situated with the vertex at the origin.

• Parabolas in more general positions will be considered

• When x is replaced by –x, the equation remains

• We now summarize what we have just

• Thus, the equation is: x2 = 4(2)y

• Find the focus and directrix of the parabola

• Comparing this to the general equation x2 = 4py, we see that

• The focus is F(0, –¼) and the directrix is y = ¼.

• Here’s the graph of the parabola, together

• We can also draw the graph using

(a) Find the focus and directrix of the parabola,

(b) Use a graphing calculator to draw the graph.

• The focus is F(–3/2, 0) and the directrix

• We need to graph both

• The line segment that runs through the focus perpendicular

• Its length is the focal diameter of the parabola.

• So, the distance from Q

• In the next example, we use the focal

• We put the equation in the form x2 = 4py.

• So, the focus is (0, ½) and the directrix

• Since the focal diameter is 2, the latus rectum extends

• What do you conclude?

• This leads to the following equations.

• Parabolas have an important property

• Thus, a parabolic mirror

• Conversely, light approaching the reflector in

• This reflection property—which can

• If the filament of the light bulb is located

• We introduce a coordinate system and

• We use this to find p.

and the focus is in.

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