Find the equation of the parabola determine by the given information.

Find the equation of the parabola determine by the given information.

Focus  (6,0), directrix x = -6

 

Solution

First, notice that since the directrix is a  vertical line, the parabola will open either to the left or to the right, not up or down. Since the directris is to the left of the focus, and a parabola always opens aways from its directris, this parabola will open to the right.

The vertex will be halfway between the focus and the directrix. It will have the same y-coordinate as the y-coordinate of the focus.

The vertex of the parabola is (\frac{6+(-6)}{2},0), which simplifies to (0,0).

The parabola with directrix x = -p and vertex (0,0) will have the equation y^{2} = 4px.

Since the directrix of this parabola is x = -6, p = 6.

The equation of the parabola with directrix x = -6 and focus (6,0) is y^{2} = 4*6x ,  which simplifies to  y^{2}= 24x.

 

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