document.write( "Question 581158: Please help me solve this problem: \"Determine the equation of the parabola with the focus at (-4, 4) and where the directrix is the line y=-2. Find the two points that define the latus rectum and sketch the parabola.\" \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #371476 by lwsshak3(11628)![]() ![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! Please help me solve this problem: \"Determine the equation of the parabola with the focus at (-4, 4) and where the directrix is the line y=-2. Find the two points that define the latus rectum and sketch the parabola. \n" ); document.write( "** \n" ); document.write( "Equation is that of a parabola which opens upwards of the standard form: (x-h)^2=4p(y-k), (h,k) being the (x,y) coordinates of the vertex.(note that the directrix, y=-2, is below the y-coordinate, 4, of given focus) \n" ); document.write( "Axis of symmetry:x=-4 \n" ); document.write( "y-coordinate of vertex=(4+(-2))/2=2/2=1 (midpoint formula) \n" ); document.write( "x-coordinate=-4 \n" ); document.write( "vertex:(-4,1) \n" ); document.write( "p=distance from vertex to directrix or focus on the axis of symmetry=3 \n" ); document.write( "4p=12 \n" ); document.write( "Equation: (x+4)^2=12(y-1) \n" ); document.write( ".. \n" ); document.write( "latus rectum: a line passing thru the focal point perpendicular to the axis of symmetry connecting to both sides of the parabola at the following points: \n" ); document.write( "y-coordinate for both points=4 (same as that of focus) \n" ); document.write( "solving for x-coordinates: \n" ); document.write( "(x+4)^2=12(y-1) \n" ); document.write( "(x+4)^2=12(4-1) \n" ); document.write( "(x+4)^2=36 \n" ); document.write( "x+4=±√36=±6 \n" ); document.write( "x=±6-4 \n" ); document.write( "x=-10 \n" ); document.write( "or \n" ); document.write( "x=1 \n" ); document.write( "end points of latus rectum: (-10,4) and (2,4) \n" ); document.write( ".. \n" ); document.write( "see graph below: \n" ); document.write( "y=((x+4)^2+12)/12 \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |