Chapter 11: Problem 15
Graph the parabolas. In each case, specify the focus, the directrix, and the focal width. Also specify the vertex. $$x^{2}-8 x-y+18=0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The vertex is (4, 2), the focus is (4, \(\frac{9}{4}\)), the directrix is \(y = \frac{7}{4}\), and the focal width is 1.
Step by step solution
01
Rearrange the Equation
Start with the given equation: \[ x^2 - 8x - y + 18 = 0 \] Rearrange it to make completing the square easier: \[ y = x^2 - 8x + 18 \] We'll complete the square to get the equation into vertex form.
02
Complete the Square
Focus on the quadratic part \( x^2 - 8x \). To complete the square, take half of the coefficient of \( x \), which is \( -8 \), divide by 2 to get \( -4 \), and then square it to get \( 16 \). Add and subtract 16 in the equation: \[ y = (x^2 - 8x + 16) + 18 - 16 \] This simplifies to: \[ y = (x - 4)^2 + 2 \] Now the equation is in the form \( (x-h)^2 = 4p(y-k) \).
03
Identify the Vertex
From the vertex form \( y = (x - 4)^2 + 2 \), we identify that the vertex \((h, k)\) is \((4, 2)\).
04
Write in Standard Parabola Form
The equation \( y = (x - 4)^2 + 2 \) is equivalent to \((x - 4)^2 = y - 2\). This matches the standard upward-opening parabola form \((x - h)^2 = 4p(y - k)\), which tells us \( 4p = 1 \). So, \( p = \frac{1}{4} \).
05
Find the Focus
The focus is \((h, k + p)\). Substitute \((h, k) = (4, 2)\) and \(p = \frac{1}{4}\): \[ Focus = (4, 2 + \frac{1}{4}) = (4, \frac{9}{4}) \]
06
Find the Directrix
The directrix is \(y = k - p\). Using \(k = 2\) and \(p = \frac{1}{4}\), we find: \[ Directrix: y = 2 - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{7}{4} \]
07
Calculate the Focal Width
The focal width is given by \(|4p|\). Since \(4p = 1\), the focal width is \(1\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Focus
In the context of parabolas, the focus is a crucial point that helps define the curve's shape. Imagine a satellite dish; the focus is similar to where all signals come together. For the parabola \[ (x-4)^2 = y-2 \], the focus point is located directly above the vertex on the parabola's axis of symmetry. The steps to find the focus involve identifying the distance \( p \) from the vertex to the focus. For this parabola:
- The vertex is \( (4, 2) \).
- The value of \( p \) is determined from \( 4p = 1 \), so \( p = \frac{1}{4} \).
- Therefore, the focus is at \( (4, 2 + \frac{1}{4}) \), which simplifies to \( (4, \frac{9}{4}) \).
Directrix
The directrix is an important line in understanding a parabola's geometry. It serves as a reference point alongside the focus, ensuring that each point on the parabola is equidistant from both the focus and this line. For the equation \((x-4)^2 = y-2\), you derive the directrix from the vertex and the value \( p \). This directrix is horizontal for upward- or downward-facing parabolas.
- Start with the vertex point \((4, 2)\).
- Using the equation \( y = k - p \), and knowing \( k = 2 \) and \( p = \frac{1}{4} \), compute the directrix at \( y = 2 - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{7}{4} \).
Vertex
The vertex of a parabola acts as either the utmost point or the lowest point, depending on its orientation. It is the central point that all the other elements of a parabola revolve around. To find the vertex of the parabola described by the original equation, convert it into its vertex form through the process of completing the square.
- Given the equation \( y = (x-4)^2 + 2 \), the vertex can directly be read as \((h, k)\).
- In this problem, the vertex \((h, k)\) is \((4, 2)\).