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Question 39732:  I tried to solve this problem but I am not sure about my answer. The thing is, I solved it by following the  examples given by the book but I don;t really understand the principle behind. 
Find the vertex,focus and directrix of the parabola in the given equation:
 
3x + ysquare  + 8y  + 4 =0
 
y square -8y  = -3x + 4
 
2(y square -4y +8 ) = -3x + 4 + 8
 
2(y square - 2) square = -3 (x + 4)
 
( y - 2) square = - 3/2 ( x + 4)
 
Vertex = 2, -4 
4p= -3/2 
 p= - 3/8
 
Focus  -4 + (3/8), 2 = 35/8, 2
 
directrix = X = -4 - (-3/8) = - 29/8 
 Answer by fractalier(6550)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! Okay from 
3x + y^2 + 8y + 4 = 0  
we rearrange terms correctly and get 
y^2 + 8y = -3x - 4 
now complete the square 
y^2 + 8y + 16 = -3x - 4 + 16 
(y + 4)^2 = -3x + 12 
(y + 4)^2 - 12 = -3x 
x = (-1/3)(y + 4)^2 + 4 
vertex is at (4, -4) 
line of sym is y = -4 
and since a = 1/4p and a = -1/3 
p = |-3/4| = 3/4 
focus is at (13/4, -4) 
directrix at x = 19/4 
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