What is the equation of the parabola with a focus at (3,6) and a directrix of y= 8?
1 Answer
Explanation:
If the focus of a parabola is (3,6) and the directrix is y = 8, find the equation of the parabola.
Let ( x0 , y0 ) be any point on the parabola. First of all, finding the distance between (x0 , y0) and the focus. Then finding the distance between (x0 , y0) and directrix. Equating these two distance equations and the simplified equation in x0 and y0 is equation of the parabola.
The distance between (x0 , y0) and (3,6) is
The distance between (x0 , y0) and the directrix, y = 8 is | y0– 8|.
Equating the two distance expressions and square on both sides.
Simplifying and bringing all terms to one side:
Write the equation with y0 on one side:
This equation in (x0 , y0) is true for all other values on the parabola and hence we can rewrite with (x , y).
So, the equation of the parabola with focus (3,6) and directrix is y = 8 is