document.write( "Question 1122879: Find the equation of the focal chord that cuts the curve y^2 = 16x at (4,8) \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #739222 by greenestamps(13215)\"\" \"About 
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\n" ); document.write( "The graph is a parabola with vertex at (0,0) that opens to the right. One standard form of the equation is

\n" ); document.write( "\"x+=+%281%2F%284p%29%29y%5E2\"

\n" ); document.write( "where p is the distance from the vertex to the focus.

\n" ); document.write( "In your example, the equation in that form is

\n" ); document.write( "\"x+=+%281%2F16%29y%5E2\"

\n" ); document.write( "which means p=4 and the focus is at (4,0).

\n" ); document.write( "Then, since this focal chord cuts the parabola at (4,8), the focal chord is a vertical line passing through (4,0) and (4,8); so the equation of the focal chord is x=4.
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