How do you find the vertex, focus and directrix of x+y^2=0?

1 Answer
May 21, 2016

Vertex V is at (0, 0), Focus S is at (-1/4, 0) and the directrix is along x = 1/4.

Explanation:

y^2=- x > 0. So, x<0.

The line of symmetry is y = 0.,

So, y = 0 is the axis.

As x < o, it is in the negative x-direction, from the vertex V..

V is (0, 0)

The latus rectum 4a = 1. So, a = 1/4).

The focus S is on the axism at a distance a from V.

So, S is at (-1/4, 0)

The directrix is perpendicular to the axis and is equidistant from the

V, on the opposite side of V. So, its equation is x = 1/4.