UNIT 8 - OBJECTIVE 2 - THE PARABOLA

		A parabola is the set of points in a plane which are equal distance
		from a fixed line (directrix) and a fixed point (the focus).  The 
		standard form of a parabola with vertex at the origin has only one
		variable squared.  There are two standard forms of a parabola, depending
		on which variable is squared.  These parabolas open up or down:
		x2=4py
		The vertex, V, is at the orgin.  p is the directed distance from V, the
		vertex, to F, the Focus. (Look at the textbook)

		These parabolas open left or right:
		
y2=4px
		p is the directed distance from the vertex to the focus.  Absolute value
		of p is the distance from the vertex to the directrix.  PARABOLA ALWAYS
		OPEN AROUND THE FOCUS. Parabolas are symmetric.  Absolute value of 4p
		is the length of the cord through the focus.

		Note: The general equation of a parabola has one variable square, but not
		the other.  The axis of the parabola is parallel to the variable that is n
		not squared.
		


		EXAMPLE 1
		Sketch the graph of x2=10y

		This is the equation of a parabola with the vertex at the origin.
		It opens up because of the form x2=4py and 10>0 
		So 4p=10

		    p=10/4=5/2
		The focus point is (0,5/2) and the directrix is y=-5/2

		EXAMPLE 2
		Write the equation of a parabola with the vertex at (0,0) and passes
		through the point (7,8)

		It opens to the right so the equation must be of the form y2=4px
		Plug in 7 for x and 8 for y to find p
		82=4p(7)
		64=28p
		p=64/28=16/7
		So the equation is y2=4(16/7)x
				   y2=64/7 x


		EXAMPLE 3
		Write the equation of a parabola with directrix x=3 and vertex (1,2)
		The parabola is in the form (y-k)2=4p(x-h) with p=2.
		So we need to plug in 1 for h and -2 for k.
		(y-(-2))2=4(2)(x-1)
		(y+2)2=8(x-1)
		
		
		

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	Copyright © 1996 by B. Chambers and P. Lowry. All Rights	Reserved.