Chapter 10: Problem 2
Name the conic that has the given equation. Find its vertices and foci, and sketch its graph. $$ y^{2}-6 x=0 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The conic is a right-opening parabola with vertex at (0,0) and focus at \((\frac{3}{2}, 0)\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Conic Section
The given equation is \(y^2 - 6x = 0\). This is a quadratic equation in one variable (\(y\)) and linear in the other (\(x\)), which suggests that it is a parabola.
02
Rewrite the Equation in Parabola Form
Rearrange the equation to solve for \(x\):\[y^2 = 6x\]This is in the standard form of a parabola that opens horizontally, \(y^2 = 4px\), where \(p\) is the distance from the vertex to the focus.
03
Determine the Vertex and Orientation
For the equation \(y^2 = 6x\), compare it to \(y^2 = 4px\). Here, \(4p = 6\), so \(p = \frac{3}{2}\). This indicates that the parabola opens to the right. The vertex of the parabola is at the origin, \((0,0)\).
04
Find the Focus and Directrix
The focus is \(\frac{3}{2}\) units to the right of the vertex along the x-axis. So, the focus is \((\frac{3}{2}, 0)\). The directrix is \(\frac{3}{2}\) units to the left of the vertex, which is the vertical line \(x = -\frac{3}{2}\).
05
Sketch the Graph
Draw the x and y axes. The vertex is at \((0,0)\), and the parabola opens to the right. Mark the focus at \((\frac{3}{2}, 0)\) and draw a vertical line at \(x = -\frac{3}{2}\) for the directrix. Sketch the parabola opening to the right, centered at the vertex.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Parabola
A parabola is a stunning geometric curve that is shaped by a quadratic relationship between two variables. In terms of algebra, a parabola's equation typically contains one variable squared, while the other variable remains linear. This is exactly what we find in the equation:
- \( y^2 - 6x = 0 \)
Vertices and Foci
The vertex of a parabola acts like its center point. It's where the curve changes direction. From this point, you can measure crucial distances that help in sketching the parabola.
For the equation \( y^2 = 6x \):
For the equation \( y^2 = 6x \):
- The vertex is at the origin
\((0,0)\) - The focus, which is a point inside the parabola, giving it direction, is calculated by finding \( p \). Here, \( 4p = 6 \), which makes \( p = \frac{3}{2} \)
- The focus is \( \frac{3}{2} \) units to the right of the vertex, located at \( \left(\frac{3}{2}, 0\right) \)
- For a right-opening parabola like this, the directrix is a vertical line \( x = -\frac{3}{2} \)
Graphing Conics
To bring conic sections like parabolas to life on a graph, start at the basics: the Cartesian plane.
- First, mark the vertex \((0,0)\) on the graph
- Then place the focus \( (\frac{3}{2}, 0) \) properly aligned rightward from the vertex
- Visualize a curve that bows outwards to the right symmetrically around the x-axis
- The vertical line \( x = -\frac{3}{2} \) is the directrix