SOLUTION: Use the definition of a parabola and the distance formula to derive the standard equation of a parabola which has the orginbfor its vertex, the x-acis as the axis of symmetry, a fo

Algebra ->  Quadratic-relations-and-conic-sections -> SOLUTION: Use the definition of a parabola and the distance formula to derive the standard equation of a parabola which has the orginbfor its vertex, the x-acis as the axis of symmetry, a fo      Log On


   

Question 1121680: Use the definition of a parabola and the distance formula to derive the standard equation of a parabola which has the orginbfor its vertex, the x-acis as the axis of symmetry, a focus of (p,0) and a directrix of x=-p.
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Consider an arbitrary point P on the given parabola.





By the definition of a parabola, these two measures must be equal. Set the expressions equal to each other, simplify, and solve for in terms of


John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it