Chapter 10: Problem 76
Find the vertex, axis of symmetry, \(x\) -intercept, \(y\) -intercepts, focus, and directrix for each parabola. Sketch the graph, showing the focus and directrix. $$x=-\frac{1}{4}(y-2)^{2}-1$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Vertex: \((-1,2)\),Axis of Symmetry: \(y = 2\), x-intercept: \((-2,0)\), no y-intercept. Focus: \((-2,2)\) Directrix: \(x = 0\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the vertex
The given equation is already in the vertex form for a parabola that opens to the left or right: i.e., \(x = a(y−k)^2 + h\)By comparing the given equation \(x = -\frac{1}{4}(y - 2)^2 - 1\),with this form, you can identify the vertex at \((h,k) = (-1,2)\).
02
Determine the axis of symmetry
The axis of symmetry for a parabola that opens left or right is given by the equation \(y = k\). Here, with vertex \((h,k) = (-1,2)\), the axis of symmetry is \(y = 2\).
03
Find the x-intercept
To find the x-intercept, set \(y = 0\) and solve for \(x\): \[ x = -\frac{1}{4}(0-2)^2 - 1 \] \[ x = -1 -1 \] \[x = -2\].So, the x-intercept is \((-2, 0)\).
04
Find the y-intercept
To find the y-intercept, set \(x = 0\) and solve for \(y\): \[ 0 = -\frac{1}{4}(y-2)^2 - 1 \] \[ 1 = -\frac{1}{4}(y-2)^2 \] \[(y-2)^2 = -4\].Since the square of a real number cannot be negative,there is no real solution here.Thus, there is no y-intercept.
05
Find the focus and directrix
The standard form for a horizontally oriented parabola is: \[ x-h = -\frac{1}{4}(y-k)^2 \] given \( x = -\frac{1}{4}(y-2)^2 - 1 \).Here, \(a = -\frac{1}{4}\) - comparing with \[x - h = a (y - k)^2 \], we notice that \(4a = -1\) thus, \(4a = -4p \Rightarrow p = 1\).Since \( a = -1/(4p) \Rightarrow 1/4 = p\) - which means the parabola opens to the left with a value of \([-1,2]\).
06
Sketch the graph by Showing Focus and Directrix
The vertex is \((-1, 2)\), the focus is \((-2, 2)\), and the directrix is \(x = 0\).To sketch:1. Plot the vertex at \((-1, 2)\).2. Plot the focus at \((-2,2)\).3. Draw the directrix line at \(x = 0\).4. Draw a parabola opening to the left around the vertex, focusing through the vertex.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
vertex form of parabola
The vertex form of a parabola equation is a special format that makes it easy to identify key features. It looks like this: \( x = a(y−k)^2 + h \) or \( y = a(x−h)^2 + k \). Here, \( (h, k) \) are the coordinates of the vertex of the parabola. For example, in the equation \( x = -\frac{1}{4}(y - 2)^2 - 1 \), comparing this with the general form, we find the vertex is \( (h, k) = (-1, 2) \). The coefficient \( a \) indicates the direction in which the parabola opens. If \( a \) is positive, it opens upward or to the right. If negative, it opens downward or to the left.
axis of symmetry
The axis of symmetry is a vertical or horizontal line that passes through the vertex of the parabola, dividing it into two symmetrical halves. For parabolas in the form \( x = a(y−k)^2 + h \), the axis of symmetry is given by \( y = k \). For our example equation \( x = -\frac{1}{4}(y - 2)^2 - 1 \), the axis of symmetry is \( y = 2 \). This means the parabola is symmetric about the line \( y = 2 \).
parabola intercepts
Intercepts are the points where the parabola intersects the x-axis and y-axis.
- To find the x-intercept, set \( y = 0 \) in the equation. For \( x = -\frac{1}{4}(0-2)^2 - 1 \), solving gives \( x = -2 \). So, the x-intercept is \( (-2, 0) \).
- To find the y-intercept, set \( x = 0 \). For \( 0 = -\frac{1}{4}(y-2)^2 - 1 \), we solve and see there's no real solution for \( y \). Therefore, the parabola does not have a y-intercept.
parabola focus and directrix
The focus and directrix are unique features of parabolas that help define their shape. The focus is a point, and the directrix is a line perpendicular to the axis of symmetry.
- For our equation \( x = -\frac{1}{4}(y - 2)^2 - 1 \), we found that \( a = -\frac{1}{4} \), and comparing with the standard form, \( 4p = 1 \), which means \( p = 1/4 \). The focus is then determined by moving 1 unit left (since our parabola opens left) from the vertex, giving us \( (-2, 2) \).
- The directrix is a vertical line equivalent to moving 1 unit right (opposite the direction of the focus) from the vertex, giving us \( x = 0 \).
graphing parabolas
Graphing a parabola involves plotting its key features and understanding its shape. Here's how you can graph the given equation:
- Start by plotting the vertex at \( (-1, 2) \).
- Next, plot the focus at \( (-2, 2) \) and draw the directrix line \( x = 0 \).
- Draw the axis of symmetry line \( y = 2 \).
- Using the vertex and the direction the parabola opens (leftward in this case), sketch the curve of the parabola so it passes through the vertex and around the focus.
- Add the x-intercept point \( (-2, 0) \) to complete the graph.