Question

Samara is adjusting a satellite because she finds it is not focusing the incoming radio waves perfectly. The shape of her satellite can be modeled by mc018-1.jpg, where x and y are modeled in inches. She realizes that the static is a result of the feed antenna shifting slightly off the focus point. What is the focus point of the satellite?
(–5.5, 0)
(0, –5.5)
(0.5, 0)
(5.5, 0)

Answer 1

A parabolic dish has equation y^2 = 4px with focus at (p,0). The given parabola is y^2 = 22x, so 4p = 22 and p = 5.5. Thus the focus is (5.5, 0).