Chapter 10: Problem 17
Sketch the parabola with the given equation. Show and label its vertex, focus, axis, and directrix. $$4 x^{2}+4 x+4 y+13=0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The parabola opens downwards with vertex \((-\frac{1}{2}, -3)\), focus \((-\frac{1}{2}, -\frac{13}{4})\), and directrix \(y = -\frac{11}{4}\).
Step by step solution
01
Rewrite the Equation in Standard Form
Start by rewriting the given quadratic equation in a more recognizable form. The given equation is \( 4x^2 + 4x + 4y + 13 = 0 \). First, divide the entire equation by 4 to simplify: \( x^2 + x + y + \,\frac{13}{4} = 0 \). Rearrange to isolate \( y \): \( y = -x^2 - x - \frac{13}{4} \).
02
Complete the Square
The equation \( y = -x^2 - x - \frac{13}{4} \) needs the \( x \)-terms to be in a completed square form. Taking \( -x^2 - x \), factor out the negative sign: \( -(x^2 + x) \). To complete the square, take half of the \( x \)-coefficient \((\frac{1}{2})\) and square it \((\frac{1}{4})\). The expression becomes \( -(x^2 + x + \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{4}) \). Simplify to \(-(x + \frac{1}{2})^2 + \frac{1}{4}\). Thus, the transformed equation is \( y = -(x+\frac{1}{2})^2 + \frac{1}{4} - \frac{13}{4} \).
03
Find the Vertex
Simplify \( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{13}{4} \) to \( -3 \). Thus, the equation becomes \( y = -(x+\frac{1}{2})^2 - 3 \). The vertex form of the parabola is \( y = -(x-h)^2 + k \). Here, the vertex \( (h, k) \) is \( (-\frac{1}{2}, -3) \).
04
Determine the Focus and Directrix
For a parabola \( y = a(x-h)^2 + k \), the focus is at \( (h, k + \frac{1}{4a}) \) and the directrix is \( y = k - \frac{1}{4a} \). Since \( a = -1 \), the focus is at \( (-\frac{1}{2}, -3 + \frac{1}{-4}) \to (-\frac{1}{2}, -\frac{13}{4}) \) and the directrix is \( y = -3 + \frac{1}{4} \to -\frac{11}{4} \).
05
Sketch the Parabola
Plot the vertex \( (-\frac{1}{2}, -3) \) on the coordinate plane. Mark the focus \( (-\frac{1}{2}, -\frac{13}{4}) \) which is slightly below the vertex. Draw the directrix line \( y = -\frac{11}{4} \), which is slightly above the vertex. Since the \( x \)-term is squared and \( a = -1 \), the parabola opens downwards. Draw a symmetrical curve opening downwards through the plotted points.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Vertex
A parabola's vertex is a key concept, functioning as the point where the curve's direction changes. For the given equation, after completing the square, we determined the equation in the form: \( y = -(x+\frac{1}{2})^2 - 3 \). From this vertex form of a parabola, we can directly identify the vertex as \((h, k)\). Here, the vertex \( (h, k) \) is at \( (-\frac{1}{2}, -3) \). This point is particularly important because:
- It represents the highest point on the parabola when it opens downward.
- It provides symmetry, meaning each side of the vertex mirrors the other.
Focus
The focus of a parabola is a unique point that provides a way to describe its geometry and reflective properties. We calculated the location of the focus using the formula: \( (h, k + \frac{1}{4a}) \), where \( a \) is the coefficient of the squared term in the vertex form. For our equation, \( a = -1 \), giving us the focus at \( (-\frac{1}{2}, -3 + \frac{1}{-4}) \). This simplifies to \( (-\frac{1}{2}, -\frac{13}{4}) \). The focus is notable because:
- All points on the parabola are equidistant from the focus and the directrix.
- It lies inside the parabola, in the direction in which the parabola opens.
Axis
The axis of a parabola is an important symmetry line that vertically or horizontally passes through the vertex and focus. For our downward-opening parabola, the axis is vertical. The importance of the axis includes:
- Serves as a line of symmetry, dividing the parabola into two mirror-image halves.
- Helps in easily finding equal y-values for x-values equidistant from the axis.
Directrix
A directrix of a parabola is an essential concept accessed through the relationship with the focus. It is a line perpendicular to the axis of symmetry that all points on the parabola maintain a constant distance from. We determine the directrix using the formula: \( y = k - \frac{1}{4a} \). For the given problem, the directrix line is found at \( y = -3 + \frac{1}{4} \), simplifying to \( y = -\frac{11}{4} \). Noteworthy aspects of the directrix include:
- It is one of the two geometric entities (the other being the focus) from which every point on the parabola is equidistant.
- It lies outside of the parabola, opposite the direction that the parabola opens.