SOLUTION: The equation of a mirror in a particular telscope is y = x2/780 where x is the radius and y is the depth in centimeters. Graph this equation on your own, then state whether it is

Algebra ->  Quadratic-relations-and-conic-sections -> SOLUTION: The equation of a mirror in a particular telscope is y = x2/780 where x is the radius and y is the depth in centimeters. Graph this equation on your own, then state whether it is       Log On


   

Question 288672: The equation of a mirror in a particular telscope is y = x2/780 where x is the radius and y is the depth in centimeters. Graph this equation on your own, then state whether it is parabolic, elliptical, or hyperbolic.
Super confused with this question, I really don't understand where to start from, please help me!
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Since we can write y=x%5E2%2F780 as y=%281%2F780%29x%5E2 which is the form y=ax%5E2%2Bbx%2Bc (a parabola), this means that y=x%5E2%2F780 is a parabola.


Graph it to get:

+graph%28+500%2C+500%2C+-20%2C+20%2C+-5%2C+5%2C+%281%2F780%29%2Ax%5E2%29+

Take note that the scale of the x and y axes are not equal. I did this to show what the graph looked like. In a normal setting, you probably won't see the graph.