The easiest way when there are fractions is to clear of fractions
first. Multiply through by 4
Add 12 to both sides
Complete the square on the right:
Multiply the coefficient of y by : = -1
Square that result
Add +1 to both sides
Factor the right side:
Factor 4 out of the left sides:
Multiply both sides by
Compare to
and we have vertex = (h,k) = (,1), 4p=, p=
It is a parabola with horizontal axis of symmetry, the green line below
whose equation is y=1, since 1 is the y-coordinate of the vertex.
To find the focus we know it is p= of a unit right of the vertex,
so we add to the x-coordinate of the vertex:
and the y-coordinate of the focus is
the same as the y-coordinate of the vertex, or 1.
So the focus is the point (,1)
The directrix is a blue line p= of a unit left of the vertex.
So the equation of the directrix is
The focus is the point (,1) marked just right of the vertex
and the directrix is the blue line :
Edwin