Question 481497
Find the focus and directrix of each parabola with the given equation. 
a). x^=4y
b). y^=-4x
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a). x^2=4y
This is an equation of a parabola with a vertical axis of symmetry. 
Its standard form: (x-h)^2=4p(y-k), with (h,k) being the (x,y) coordinates of the vertex.
For given equation:
parabola opens upwards
Vertex(0,0) 
4p=4
p=1
Focus:(0,1)
Directrix: y=-1
see the graph below as a visual check on the answers:
..
y=±x^2/4
{{{ graph( 300, 300, -10, 10, -10, 10, x^2/4) }}}
..
b). y^2=-4x
This is an equation of a parabola with a horizontal axis of symmetry. 
Its standard form: (y-k)^2=4p(x-h), with (h,k) being the (x,y) coordinates of the vertex.
For given equation:
parabola opens leftward
Vertex(0,0) 
4p=4
p=1
Focus:(-1,0)
Directrix: x=1
see the graph below as a visual check on the answers:
..
y=±(-4x)^.5
{{{ graph( 300, 300, -10, 10, -10, 10, (-4x)^.5,-(-4x)^.5) }}}
..