Write the equation of the parabola with a focus of (6,−5) and directrix of x=2 . Note: Enter your answer and SHOW ALL THE STEPS NECESSARY to solve this problem in the space provided. You will not receive credit without all work shown.

User Icon for Bot GPT 4-o mini Bot GPT 4-o mini answered
2 hours ago

To find the equation of the parabola with a focus at \((6, -5)\) and a directrix of \(x = 2\), we will follow the standard definition and properties of a parabola.

Step 1: Identify the Properties

  1. Focus: The focus of the parabola is at the point \((6, -5)\).
  2. Directrix: The directrix of the parabola is the vertical line \(x = 2\).
  3. Vertex: The vertex of the parabola is located halfway between the focus and the directrix.

Step 2: Calculate the Vertex

The vertex \(V\) is the average of the x-coordinates of the focus and the directrix line.

  • x-coordinate of the focus: \(6\)
  • Equation of the directrix: \(x = 2\)

The vertex \(x\) coordinate is calculated as follows: \[ x_V = \frac{6 + 2}{2} = \frac{8}{2} = 4 \] The y-coordinate of the vertex is the same as the y-coordinate of the focus since the focus is not vertically aligned with the directrix. Therefore, \[ y_V = -5 \] So the vertex is \((4, -5)\).

Step 3: Determine the Orientation

Since the directrix is a vertical line, the parabola will open to the right or to the left. Since the focus \((6, -5)\) is to the right of the directrix \(x = 2\), the parabola opens to the right.

Step 4: Find the Distance \(p\)

The distance \(p\) is the distance from the vertex to the focus (or from the vertex to the directrix). We can find this distance by calculating:

\[ p = 6 - 4 = 2 \]

Step 5: Write the Standard Form of the Parabola

The standard form of the equation of a horizontally oriented parabola (opening to the right) with vertex \((h, k)\) is: \[ (y - k)^2 = 4p(x - h) \] Where \((h, k)\) is the vertex and \(p\) is the distance from the vertex to the focus.

Plugging the vertex \((4, -5)\) and \(p = 2\) into the formula:

  • \(h = 4\)
  • \(k = -5\)
  • \(4p = 4 \cdot 2 = 8\)

Step 6: Write the Equation of the Parabola

The equation of the parabola becomes: \[ (y + 5)^2 = 8(x - 4) \]

Thus, the final equation of the parabola is: \[ \boxed{(y + 5)^2 = 8(x - 4)} \]