Find an equation for the parabola that has its vertex at the origin and satisfies the given conditions. Focus on the negative y-axis, 6 units away from the directrix.

Respuesta :

Answer:

y = - x²/12

Step-by-step explanation:

The axis of symmetry passes through both the focus and vertex, and both of those are on the y-axis.  So, the y- axis *is* the axis of symmetry. The equation has the form y = ax^2 and since the focus is *below* the vertex, the parabola opens downward and the coefficient a is negative.

The vertex is halfway between the focus and the nearest point on the directrix, so the focal length (distance from vertex to focus is) 6/2 = 3. The signed focal distance is f = -3, since it's below the vertex.

A point (x,y) is on the parabola if it's equidistant from the line y=3 and the focus F=(0,-3).  

|y - 3| = √[(x - 0)² + (y + 3)²]  ..... distance to directrix = distance to F

(y - 3)² = x² + (y + 3)²

y² - 6x + 9 = x² + y² + 6y + 9

-12y = x²

y = - x²/12

The equation of the parabola that has its vertex at the origin, focus on the negative y-axis, 6 units away from the directrix is [tex]\mathbf{x^2 = -12y}[/tex]

The equation of a parabola is represented as:

[tex]\mathbf{x^2 = 4py}[/tex]

Where:

[tex]\mathbf{F = (0,p)}[/tex] -- focus

[tex]\mathbf{y = -p}[/tex] --- the directrix

From the question, the focus is on the negative y-axis,

So, we rewrite the focus as:

[tex]\mathbf{F = (0,p)}[/tex]

Where:

[tex]\mathbf{p < 0}[/tex]

The distance between the focus and the directrix is represented as:

[tex]\mathbf{|p - (-p)| = 6}[/tex]

Remove bracket

[tex]\mathbf{|p +p| = 6}[/tex]

Add

[tex]\mathbf{|2p| = 6}[/tex]

Rewrite as:

[tex]\mathbf{2|p| = 6}[/tex]

Divide both sides by 2

[tex]\mathbf{|p| = 3}[/tex]

Remove absolute bracket

[tex]\mathbf{p = 3\ or\ p = -3}[/tex]

Recall that: [tex]\mathbf{p < 0}[/tex]

So, we have:

[tex]\mathbf{p = -3}[/tex]

Substitute -3 for p in [tex]\mathbf{x^2 = 4py}[/tex]

[tex]\mathbf{x^2 = 4(-3)y}[/tex]

[tex]\mathbf{x^2 = -12y}[/tex]

Hence, the equation of the parabola is [tex]\mathbf{x^2 = -12y}[/tex]

Read more about parabolas at:

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