Chapter 12: Problem 18
Exer. \(17-26:\) Find an equation for the conic that satisfies the given conditions. parabola, with focus \(F(-4,0)\) and directrix \(x=4\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The equation of the parabola is \( y^2 = -16x \).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Parabola
A parabola is defined as the set of all points that are equidistant from a fixed point called the focus and a line called the directrix. In this problem, the focus is given as \( F(-4,0) \) and the directrix is the vertical line \( x = 4 \).
02
Identifying Vertex and Orientation
The vertex of the parabola lies halfway between the focus and the directrix. Since the focus is \( x = -4 \) and the directrix is \( x = 4 \), the vertex, which is also on the x-axis (same y-coordinate as the focus), is at \( x = 0 \). Thus, the vertex is at \( V(0, 0) \). The parabola opens to the left (towards the focus from the directrix).
03
Applying the Distance Formula
For a parabola with a horizontal axis, the standard form is \( (y-k)^2 = 4p(x-h) \), where \((h,k)\) is the vertex, and \( p \) is the distance from the vertex to the focus. Here, \((h,k)\) is \((0,0)\) and \( p = -4 \) due to the equation \( -4 - 0 = -4 \). This indicates the parabola opens to the left.
04
Writing the Equation
Substitute \( h = 0 \), \( k = 0 \), and \( p = -4 \) into the standard form \( (y-k)^2 = 4p(x-h) \). The equation simplifies to \( y^2 = -16x \). This represents the parabola with the given focus and directrix.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Focus of a Parabola
In the context of a parabola, the focus is crucial as it determines the shape and direction in which the parabola opens. The focus is a fixed point, and every point on the parabola is equidistant from this point and the directrix. For our example, the parabola has its focus at the point \( F(-4,0) \).
- This tells us that the parabola's structure is defined around being equidistant from \( F(-4,0) \) and the line \( x = 4 \), known as the directrix.
- Understanding how the focus relates to the rest of the parabola can help predict its trajectory and position.
Directrix
The directrix of a parabola serves as a line from which distances are measured to determine the curvature of the parabola. In this particular problem, the directrix is the vertical line \( x = 4 \).
- Points on the parabola maintain equal distances from this line and the focus \( F(-4,0) \).
- The directrix is always perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the parabola, impacting where the parabola opens.
Vertex of a Parabola
The vertex of a parabola is the point where the parabola changes direction. It is located exactly halfway between the focus and the directrix. For the given example, with the focus at \( F(-4,0) \) and the directrix at \( x = 4 \), the vertex is at the origin \( V(0, 0) \).
- The vertex is also the maximum or minimum of the parabola, depending on its orientation.
- In a coordinate plane, the vertex gives a central point from which the parabola symmetrically expands.
Standard Form of a Parabola
The standard form of the equation for a parabola with a horizontal axis of symmetry is \( (y-k)^2 = 4p(x-h) \), where \((h, k)\) is the vertex and \(p\) is the distance from the vertex to the focus. In our example, the vertex is \((0,0)\), and since \(p = -4\) (because the focus is \(-4\) units away from the vertex), we substitute these into the standard form.
- This leads to the equation \( y^2 = -16x \) for our specific parabola.
- The negative sign of \(16x\) indicates the parabola opens to the left, as the value of \(p\) is negative.