SOLUTION: Stein Glass, Inc., makes parabolic headlights for a variety of automobiles. If one of its headlights has a parabolic surface generated by the parabola x^2 = 12y, where should its

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Question 1206396: Stein Glass, Inc., makes parabolic headlights for a variety of automobiles. If one of its headlights has a parabolic surface generated by the parabola x^2 = 12y, where should its light bulb be placed? (Hint: Solve the equation for y before you start finding the focus.)
A. 3 units
B. 12 units
C. 4 units
D. 48 units
E. 36 units
F. 2 units

Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, MathLover1:
Answer by ikleyn(52803)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
Stein Glass, Inc., makes parabolic headlights for a variety of automobiles.
If one of its headlights has a parabolic surface generated by the parabola x^2 = 12y,
where should its light bulb be placed? (Hint: Solve the equation for y before you start finding the focus.)
A. 3 units
B. 12 units
C. 4 units
D. 48 units
E. 36 units
F. 2 units
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When a parabola is presented by an equation x^2 = ay in this vertex form,

the focus is located at the distance  f =  from the vertex.


In this problem, the focus is located at the distance   = 3 units from the vertex.


ANSWER.  Light buble should be placed at 3 units from the vertex.

         Option (A).

Solved.



Answer by MathLover1(20850)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!



general formula is , where is the focal distance from vertex to focus
so =>
answer:
A. units

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