Parabola

At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to have

1. analyzed parabolas with vertex at the origin and with vertex at (h, k);
2. graphed parabolas; and
3. solved problems involving parabolas.

We learned that the graph of a quadratic function is a parabola. In this lesson, we give a
geometric definition of a parabola and use it to obtain an equation.

 Parabola; vertex; latus rectum; focus; directrix; axis of symmetry;

Getting Started

Activity 1.3

Directions:
1. On a one (1) whole sheet graphing paper, plot on the Cartesian plane the point F(0,2).
2. Plot also a line ℓ having the equation 2.
3. Plot the points: 2, , 4, 2 , 6, 4 , 8, 8 , 2, , 4, 2 ,
6, 4 , and 8, 8

4. Find the distances of the following:

a) AF and ℓ (note: ℓ is the point on line ℓ closest to A)
b) BF and ℓ
c) CF and ℓ
d) DF and ℓ
e) EF and ℓ
f) GF and ℓ
g) HF and ℓ
h) IF and ℓ

5. What can you say about the distances of the pairs of points (AF and ℓ or BF and
ℓ and so on)?
6. What can you say about the points A, B, C, D, E, G, H and I with reference to F and the
line ℓ?
 Page |2

7. If you connect the points from (0, 0) up to D and (0, 0) up to I, what is the resulting
figure or graph?
8. Define the figure based on steps (1) to (5).

Let’s Discuss!

The figure below shows the graph of some points in the activity.

We can observe that the distances of the pairs of points ( and ℓ or and ℓ and so
on) are equal. Likewise, the points A, B, C, D, E, G, H and I has the same distances from F
and from line ℓ.

Moreover, if you connect the points from (0, 0) up to D and (0, 0) up to I, the resulting figure
or graph is a parabola.

Let us now formally give a geometric definition of a parabola.

Definition: Parabola

A parabola is the set of all points in the plane that are equidistant from a
fixed point F (called the focus) and a fixed line l (called the directrix).
 Page |3

The figure below shows a parabola (in blue). The line through the focus F and
perpendicular to the directrix D is called the axis of symmetry of the parabola. The point
of intersection of the parabola with its axis of symmetry is called the vertex V. The vertex
is midway between the focus and the directrix. We shall let a equal the distance from F to
V.

Now let us derive the equation for a parabola.

First, consider the case where the focus F is on the positive x-axis, as shown in figure below.
Because the distance from F to V is a, the coordinates of F will be (a, 0) with a > 0. Similarly,
because the distance from V to the directrix D is also a, and because D must be
perpendicular to the x-axis (since the x-axis is the axis of symmetry), the equation of the
directrix D must be .

Now, if ! , is any point on the parabola, P must satisfy equation:

distance from F to P = distance from P to D

" ,! " !,
 Page |4

Hence, from the equation we can have

From the derivation above, let us summarize the equations for parabolas.

Definition: Equation of Parabola with Center at (0, 0)

Examples

1. Find an equation of the parabola with vertex at (0, 0) and focus at (3, 0). Graph the
equation.

Solution:

 The distance from the vertex (0, 0) to the focus (3, 0) is a = 3. Based on equation
(a), the equation of this parabola is 4 .
 Page |5

 From the equation, we now have

4
4 3

12

 Hence, the equation of the parabola is 12 .

 To graph this parabola, find the two points that determine the latus rectum by
letting x = 3. Then

 The points (3, 6) and (3, - 6) determine the latus rectum. These points help graph
the parabola because they determine the “opening.” The figure below shows the
graph of the equation.

For the succeeding examples for this section, the direction “Analyze the equation” will
mean to find the vertex, focus, and directrix of the parabola and graph it.

2. Analyze the equation: 8

Solution:

 The equation 8 is of the form 4 , where 4a = 8, so 2.

 Consequently, the graph of the equation is a parabola with vertex at (0, 0) and
focus on the positive x-axis at (a, 0) = (2, 0).

 The directrix is the vertical line 2.

 Page |6

 The two points that determine the latus rectum are obtained by letting x = 2. Then
16, so &4. The points 2, 4 and 2, 4) determine the latus rectum.

 The graph is shown below

3. Analyze the equation: 12

Solution:

 The equation 12 is of the form 4 , with a = 3.

 Consequently, the graph of the equation is a parabola with vertex at 0, 0 , focus at

0, 3 , and directrix the line y = 3.

 The parabola opens down, and its axis of symmetry is the y-axis. To obtain the
points defining the latus rectum, let 3. Then 36, so &6. The
points 6, 3 and (6, 3 determine the latus rectum.

 The graph is shown below

 Page |7

4. Find the equation of the parabola with focus at (0, 4) and directrix the line 4.
Graph the equation.

Solution:

 A parabola whose focus is at 0, 4 and whose directrix is the horizontal line

4 will have its vertex at (0, 0) because the vertex is midway between the
focus and the directrix.

 Since the focus is on the positive y-axis at (0, 4), the equation of this parabola is of
the form 4 , with a = 4. That is,

16

 If we let y = 4 then 64, so &8. The points (8, 4) and (–8, 4) determine
the latus rectum. The figure below shows the graph of 16 .

5. Find the equation of a parabola with vertex at (0, 0) if its axis of symmetry is the x-axis
and its graph contains the point , 2 . Find its focus and directrix, and graph the
equation.

Solution:

 The vertex is at the origin, the axis of symmetry is the x-axis, and the graph contains
a point in the second quadrant, so the parabola opens to the left. From definition,
note that the form of the equation is
 Page |8

 The graph is shown below.

Let us now try to study parabolas with vertex at (h, k).

If a parabola with vertex at the origin and axis of symmetry along a coordinate axis
is shifted horizontally h units and then vertically k units, the result is a parabola with vertex
at (h, k) and axis of symmetry parallel to a coordinate axis. The table below shows the
equations of parabolas with vertex at (h, k).
 Page |9

Definition: Equation of Parabola with Center at (h, k)

The graph of the equations above are shown below.

 P a g e | 10

Examples

1. Find an equation of the parabola with vertex at 2, 3 and focus at 0, 3 . Graph the
equation.

Solution:

 The vertex 2, 3 and focus (0, 3) both lie on the horizontal line y = 3 (the axis of
symmetry).

 The distance a from the vertex 2, 3 to the focus (0, 3) is a = 2. Also, because the
focus lies to the right of the vertex, the parabola opens to the right.

 Consequently, the form of the equation is

 The graph is shown below

 P a g e | 11

2. Analyze the equation:

Solution:

 To analyze the equation ( 4 4 0, complete the square involving the

variable x.

 This equation is of the form –ℎ 4 – + , with ℎ 2, + 1, and

1.

 Therefore,
Vertex: 2, 1
Focus: 2, 0

Directrix: 2
Graph:

3. The figure shows the graph of parabola, with only its focus and vertex indicated. Find
its standard equation. What is its directrix and its axis of symmetry?
 P a g e | 12

Solution:

 The vertex is V (5,−4) and the focus is F(3,−4). From these, we deduce the following:
ℎ 5, + 4, 2 (the distance of the focus from the vertex).

 Since the parabola opens to the left, we use the template + 4 ℎ .

Our equation is ( 4 8 5 .

 Its directrix is 2 units to the right of V, which is 7. Its axis is the horizontal
line through V : y = −4.

 To summarize,

Directrix: 7
Axis of Symmetry: 4
Graph: Directrix

Axis of
Symmetry

4. Determine the vertex, focus, directrix, and axis of symmetry of the parabola with the
given equation. Sketch the parabola, and include these points and lines.

Solution:

 The given equation is in general form. Hence, we need to transform it to its

standard form by completing the square.
 P a g e | 13

 We complete the square on , and move to the other side.

 The parabola opens to the right. It has vertex 2 4, 6 . From 4 5, we get

3
4
1.25. The focus is 1.25 units to the right of 2 ∶ 2.75, 6 .

 The (vertical) directrix is 1.25 units to the left of 2 ∶ 5.25. The

(horizontal) axis is through 2 ∶ 6.

 To summarize:

Vertex : 4, 6
Focus : 2.75, 6
Directrix: 5.25
Axis of Symmetry: 6
Graph:

Vertex

Axis of
Symmetry

Focus

Directrix
 P a g e | 14

 We complete the square on x, and move y to the other side.

4
 The parabola opens downward. It has vertex V (−3, 4). From 4 3
, we get
6
1.2. The focus is 1.2 units below V : 3, 2.8 . The (horizontal)
3
directrix is 1.2 units above 2 ∶ 5.2. The (vertical) axis is through 2 ∶
3.

Problems Involving Parabolas

Parabolas find their way into many applications.

For example, suspension bridges have cables in the
shape of a parabola. Another property of parabolas that
is used in applications is their reflecting property.
Suppose that a mirror is shaped like a paraboloid of
revolution, a surface formed by rotating a parabola
about its axis of symmetry. If a light (or any other
emitting source) is placed at the focus of the parabola, all
the rays emanating from the light will reflect off the
mirror in lines parallel to the axis of symmetry. This
principle is used in the design of searchlights, flashlights, certain automobile headlights,
and other such devices.

Conversely, suppose that rays of light (or other

signals) emanate from a distant source so that they are
essentially parallel. When these rays strike the surface of a
parabolic mirror whose axis of symmetry is parallel to these
rays, they are reflected to a single point at the focus. This
principle is used in the design of some solar energy devices,
satellite dishes, and the mirrors used in some types of
telescopes.
 P a g e | 15

Examples

1. A satellite dish is shaped like a paraboloid of revolution. The signals that emanate from
a satellite strike the surface of the dish and are reflected to a single point, where the
receiver is located. If the dish is 8 feet across at its opening and 3 feet deep at its center,
at what position should the receiver be placed? That is, where is the focus?

Solution:

 Figure (a) shows the satellite dish. On a rectangular coordinate system, draw the
parabola used to form the dish so that the vertex of the parabola is at the origin and
its focus is on the positive y-axis. See Figure (b).

 The form of the equation of the parabola is 4

 P a g e | 16

2. A satellite dish has a shape called a paraboloid, where each cross-section is a parabola.
Since radio signals (parallel to the axis) will bounce o↵ the surface of the dish to the
focus, the receiver should be placed at the focus. How far should the receiver be from
the vertex, if the dish is 12 ft across, and 4.5 ft deep at the vertex?

Solution:

 The figures below illustrate the problem.

 The second figure above shows a cross-section of the satellite dish drawn on a
rectangular coordinate system, with the vertex at the origin.

 From the problem, we deduce that (6, 4.5) is a point on the parabola. We need the
distance of the focus from the vertex, i.e., the value of a in 4 .

4
6 4 4.5

6
8
4 4.5
8 2

 Therefore, the receiver should be 2 feet away from the vertex.

3. 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?

Solution:
 P a g e | 17

 Refer to the figure above, where the parabolic cable is drawn with its vertex on the y-
axis 30 ft above the origin.

 We may write its equation as 0 9 30 ; since we don’t need the focal

distance, we use the simpler variable a in place of 4 .

 Since the towers are 150 ft high and 400 ft apart, we deduce from the figure that
(200, 150) is a point on the parabola.

4 30

9 150 30

200
9
120
1000
9
3

:::
 The parabola has equation ;
30 , or equivalently,
0.003 ( 30. For the two points on the parabola 50 ft away from the
towers, 150 <= 150.

 If x = 150, then 0.003 150 ( 30 97.5.

 Thus, the cable is 97.5 ft high 50 ft away from either tower.

 P a g e | 18

Let’s Apply!

Exercise 1.3

1. Determine the vertex, focus, directrix, and axis of symmetry of the parabola with
equation 6 (5 34. Sketch the graph, and include these points and lines.

2. Find the equation of the parabola described. Find the two points that define the latus
rectum, and graph the equation.

a)
b)
c)

3.

4.