What do the variables in parabola equations represent?

1 Answer
Dec 21, 2017

Please see below.

Explanation:

General equation of parabola is of the form y=a(x-h)^2+ky=a(xh)2+k or x=a(y-k)^2+hx=a(yk)2+h. Former is known as verticle parabola and latter is known as horizontal parabola.

In both cases vertex is (h,k)(h,k),

axis of symmetery is x-h=0xh=0 in former case and y-k=0yk=0 in latter case.

Focii are (h,k+1/(4a))(h,k+14a) in former case and (h+1/(4a),k)(h+14a,k) in latter case.

Directrix is y=k-1/(4a)y=k14a in former case and x=h-1/(4a)x=h14a in latter case.