Chapter 11: Problem 14
Graph the parabolas. In each case, specify the focus, the directrix, and the focal width. Also specify the vertex. $$y^{2}+2 y+8 x+17=0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Vertex: (-2, -1), Focus: (-4, -1), Directrix: x = 0, Focal Width: 8.
Step by step solution
01
Transform the Equation
Start by rearranging the given equation into a standard form of a parabola. Given: \[ y^2 + 2y + 8x + 17 = 0 \]First, isolate the terms involving \(x\): \[ y^2 + 2y = -8x - 17 \] Now, complete the square for the \(y\)-terms.
02
Completing the Square
To complete the square, take the coefficient of \(y\), which is 2, divide it by 2 and square it. Add and subtract this result inside the equation:\[ y^2 + 2y + \left(\frac{2}{2}\right)^2 - \left(\frac{2}{2}\right)^2 = -8x - 17 \]This simplifies to:\[ (y+1)^2 - 1 = -8x - 17 \]Then:\[ (y+1)^2 = -8x - 16 \]
03
Converting to Standard Form of a Parabola
Now the equation resembles the standard form of a parabola opening to the left: \[ (y-k)^2 = 4p(x-h) \]Comparing \((y+1)^2 = -8(x+2)\), we get:- \( (y+1)^2 \rightarrow (y - (-1))^2 \) thus \(k = -1\)- \(-8(x+2) \rightarrow 4p = -8\) thus \(h = -2\) and \(p = -2\)
04
Identify Vertex, Focus, and Directrix
From the standard form equation, identify:- **Vertex**: \((h, k) = (-2, -1)\)- **Focus**: Since the parabola opens to the left, focus is \((h + p, k) = (-2 - 2, -1) = (-4, -1)\)- **Directrix**: Vertical line given by \(x = -2 - (-2) = 0\)
05
Determine Focal Width
The focal width of a parabola is given by the absolute value of \(4p\). From \(4p = -8\): the focal width is:\[ \text{Focal Width} = |4p| = |8| = 8 \]
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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 U-shaped curve that can open upwards, downwards, or sideways depending on its orientation. It is a conic section created when a plane intersects a cone at a particular angle.
The standard equation of a parabola can take different forms based on its axis of symmetry:
The standard equation of a parabola can take different forms based on its axis of symmetry:
- Vertical orientation (opens up or down): \( y = ax^2 + bx + c \)
- Horizontal orientation (opens left or right): \( x = ay^2 + by + c \)
Focus and Directrix
The focus and directrix are key components that define a parabola. The focus is a point located inside the parabola, which equidistant from every point on the parabola to its corresponding point on the directrix.
Let's break this down:
Let's break this down:
- **Focus**: Given a parabola in the form \( (y-k)^2 = 4p(x-h) \), the focus for a horizontal parabola is located at \( (h + p, k) \). In the example exercise, the focus is \( (-4, -1) \), meaning the parabola opens to the left.
- **Directrix**: This is a line that lies outside the parabola. For our horizontal parabola, the directrix is a vertical line defined by \( x = h - p \). In the exercise, the directrix is \( x = 0 \).
Vertex Form
The vertex form of a parabola is a way to express the equation that makes it straightforward to identify its vertex. In this specific problem, the vertex form emerges as \( (y+1)^2 = -8(x+2) \).
- The h and k in the vertex form \( (y-k)^2 = 4p(x-h) \) represent the coordinates of the vertex: \( (h, k) \).
- For the exercise, the vertex is at \( (-2, -1) \).
Focal Width
The focal width of a parabola pertains to the width of the parabola at the level of the focus. It gives an idea of how "wide" the parabola is near the focus and vertex.
- The focal width is calculated as the absolute value of \( 4p \), where \( p \) is the distance between the vertex and the focus.
- In the exercise, \( 4p = -8 \), thus the focal width is \( |8| = 8 \).