Conics: Parabolas
Posted: April 12th, 2011, 10:48 pmA parabola is the set of all points (x, y) in a plane that are equidistant from a fixed line (directrix) and a fixed point (focus) not on the line.
Standard form ~
with vertex (h, k)
The focus lies on the axis p units (directed distance) from the vertex. if the vertex is at the origin (0, 0) the equation takes one of the following forms
Standard form ~
with vertex (h, k)
| Vertical axis, directrix: y = k − p Horizontal axis, directrix: x = h − p |
The focus lies on the axis p units (directed distance) from the vertex. if the vertex is at the origin (0, 0) the equation takes one of the following forms
| Vertical axis Horizontal axis |