Chapter 10: Problem 79
Write each equation in standard form, if it is not already so, and graph it. If the graph is a circle, give the coordinates of its center and its radius. If the graph is a parabola, give the coordinates of its vertex. $$ x=\frac{1}{2} y^{2}+2 y $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The equation represents a parabola with vertex at (-2, -2).
Step by step solution
01
Recognize the Type of Equation
The given equation is \( x = \frac{1}{2} y^2 + 2y \). Notice that the equation involves \( y^2 \), which indicates that it might be a parabola since it is quadratic in terms of \( y \). We aim to rewrite it in the standard form of a parabola.
02
Rearrange the Equation
Rearrange the equation to express it in the standard form for a parabola: \( x = a(y - k)^2 + h \). The form we have is \( x = \frac{1}{2}y^2 + 2y \). This isn't quite in standard form yet. We can complete the square to transform it.
03
Complete the Square
Start with the equation \( x = \frac{1}{2}y^2 + 2y \). Factor out the coefficient of \( y^2 \), which is \( \frac{1}{2} \): \( x = \frac{1}{2}(y^2 + 4y) \). To complete the square inside the parentheses, take half of the linear coefficient (4), square it to get 4, and add and subtract it inside to maintain equality: \( x = \frac{1}{2}((y^2 + 4y + 4) - 4) \). This becomes \( x = \frac{1}{2}((y + 2)^2 - 4) \).
04
Simplify to Standard Form
Distribute the \( \frac{1}{2} \) across the terms: \( x = \frac{1}{2}(y + 2)^2 - \frac{1}{2} \cdot 4 \), simplifying to \( x = \frac{1}{2}(y + 2)^2 - 2 \). This is now in the standard form \( x = a(y - k)^2 + h \) for a parabola, where \( a = \frac{1}{2}, \ h = -2, \) and \( k = -2 \).
05
Identify the Vertex and Graph
The standard form \( x = \frac{1}{2}(y + 2)^2 - 2 \) indicates a parabola opening horizontally. The vertex, given by \( (h, k) \), is \((-2, -2)\). Plot this as the vertex. Since \( a = \frac{1}{2} \), the parabola opens to the right with a wider shape compared to a parabola that opens in the \( y \)-direction.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Standard Form of a Parabola
The standard form of a parabola simplifies the process of identifying key components like the vertex and direction of the parabola's opening. Parabolas can have equations either in terms of x or y, and for visualization:
- When in the form \( y = a(x - h)^2 + k \), the parabola opens vertically.
- When in the form \( x = a(y - k)^2 + h \), the parabola opens horizontally.
Completing the Square
Completing the square is a critical technique for transforming quadratic expressions into a more manageable form. This technique helps in converting an equation to its standard form. Here's a brief on how it works:
- You start with a quadratic expression, such as \( y^2 + 4y \).
- Take half of the coefficient of the linear term (which is 4 in our example), becoming 2, and square it to get 4.
- You add and subtract this square within the equation to complete the square effectively: \( y^2 + 4y + 4 - 4 \).
- Thus, the expression \( y^2 + 4y \) becomes \((y + 2)^2 - 4\).
Graphing Parabolas
Graphing parabolas involves several steps to ensure accurate plotting on a coordinate plane. Let's take the example equation \( x = \frac{1}{2}(y + 2)^2 - 2 \):
- Vertex Identification: The vertex is crucial as it serves as the central point. For the given equation, the vertex is at \((-2, -2)\).
- Direction of Opening: Since \(a = \frac{1}{2}\) and is positive, the parabola opens to the right, signifying a wider shape compared to if it opened upwards.
- Effect of "a": The value of \(a\) affects how "wide" or "narrow" a parabola appears. A smaller \( |a| \) leads to a wider opening.