The parabolas we considered so far are “vertical” and have their vertices at

the origin. Some parabolas open instead horizontally (to the left or right), and
some have vertices not at the origin. Their standard equations and characteristics
are given in the table.
In all four cases below, the vertex is V (h,k), and it lies between the focus F and
the directrix `. The focus F is p units away from the vertex V , and the directrix
is p units away from the vertex. Recall that, for any point on the parabola, its
distance from the focus is the same as its distance from the directrix. This module
discusses the standard form of the equation of the parabola with vertex at (h, k).

Objectives
At the end of the module, the students will be able to:
Define and determine the standard form of the parabola with center (h, k).
Sketch the graph of the parabola.
Recognize the equation and important characteristics of the parabola
Solve situational problems involving parabolas.
Realize that any problem in life has many solutions.
Content
Let the students answer the four-item Pre-Assessment.
Let the students answer the five-item Pre-Assessment.
Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. How long is the latus rectum in the equation y2 = 9x?
a. -9 b. -4.5 c. 4.5
d. 9
2. What is the equation of the parabola, with focus at (0, 4), and
directrix y = -4
a. x2 = -16y b. . y2 = -16y c. . x2 = 16y
d. y2 = 16y
3. The graph of the equation in question number 2 opens
a. downward b. to the left c. to the right d.
upward
4. Which of the following is an equation of a parabola?
a. x2 +2x – 2y- 7= 0 b. x2 +y2 + 2x –
2y- 7= 0
c . 2x2 + y2+ 2x – 2y- 7= 0 d. 2x2 –y2+ 2x – 2y-
7= 0
5. If (y +3)2 = 5x, then the vertex is at __________.
a. (0, -3) b. (-3, 0) c. (0, 3)
d. (3, 0)
For the parabola with vertex (h, k), the following characteristics can be derived:

Standard Equation (y- k)2 = 4p(x – h) (x- h)2 = 4(y – k)

Opening If p > 0, opens to the right
If p< 0, opens to the left If p > 0, opens upward
If p< 0, opens downward
Focus (h + p, k) (h, k + p)
Directirx x = h - p y = k - p
Axis of symmetry y = k or horizontal x = h or vertical
Latus Rectum Length : 4p
Endpoints: (h + p, k±2p) Length : 4p
Endpoints: (h±2p, k+ p)

Example 1. Determine the vertex, focus, opening of the graph, directrix, axis of
symmetry, and endpoints of the latus rectum of the parabola with the given
equation. Sketch the graph of the parabola.
a. (y + 3)2 = 4(x + 1)

SOLUTION: The given equation can be written as [y – (-3)]2 = 4[x – (-1)].

It follows the standard form (y- k)2 = 4p(x – h) where h = -1 and k = -3. From 4p =
4, we get p = 1. The focus is p = 1 unit to the right of the vertex. Thus,
 Vertex: (-1, -3)

Focus: : (0, -3)

Opening: right

Directrix: x= - 2

Axis of symmetry: y = -3

Endpoints of the latus rectum:

(0, -1) and (0, -5)

b. (x – 2)2 = -5(y + 4)

SOLUTION: The given equation can be written as [x – (2)]2 = -5[y – (-4)]. It

follows the standard form (x- h)2 = - 4p(y- k) where h= 2 and k = -4. From 4p =- 5,
we get p =- 5/4. The focus is │p│=5/4 units below the vertex. Thus,

Vertex: (2, -4)

 Focus: (2, - 21/4 )

Opening: downward

Directrix: y = -2 3/4 or - 11/4

Axis of symmetry: x = 2

Endpoints of the latus rectum:

(9/2 , - 21/4) and (- 1/2 , - 21/4)

c. y2- 5x + 12y = -16

SOLUTION: Express the general equation in standard form by Completing the

Square.

y2 + 12y = 5x – 12

y2 + 12y + 36 = 5x -12 + 36

(y + 6)2 = 6x + 24

(y + 6)2 = 6(x + 4)

Vertex: (-4, -6)

 Focus: (- 5/2, - 6)
4p = 6
p = 3/2

Opening: right

Directrix: x = - 11/2

Axis of symmetry: y = -6

Endpoints of the latus rectum:

(- 5/2, - 3) and (- 5/2, - 9)

d. 5x2 + 30x + 20y = 15

SOLUTION: Express the general equation in standard form by Completing the

Square.
5x2 + 30x = - 20y + 15
5(x2 + 6x + 9) = -20y + 15 + 45

5(x + 3)2 = -20y + 60

5(x +3)2 = - 20(y - 3)
5
(x+ 3)2 = -4(y – 3)

Vertex: (-3, 3)
 Focus: (-3, 2)
4p = -4
p = -1
1 unit below the vertex

Opening: downward

Directrix: y = 4

Axis of symmetry: x = - 3

Endpoints of the latus rectum; (-1, 2) and (- 5 , 2)

Example 2. Write the standard form of the equation of the parabola that satisfies
the given conditions.

a. The vertex is at (2, -3) and the focus is at (2, -5).

SOLUTION: The vertex and the focus are both on the axis of symmetry, the line
x = 2. The focus is located below the vertex; therefore, the parabola opens
downward. Such a parabola has equation (x- h)2 = -4p( y – k). The vertex (2, -3)
suggests that h= 2 and k = -3. The distance from the focus to the vertex is 2,
which is the value of p. By substitution, our equation is
(x – h)2 = -4p (y – k)

(x – 2)2 = -4 (2)[y- (-3)]

(x – 2)2 = - 8(y + 3)

b. Vertex at (1, 4), horizontal axis of symmetry and the graph passes through the
point (-8, 7)
 SOLUTION: Since the axis is horizontal and the point is to the left of the
vertex, then the parabola opens to left and has equation of the form (y – k)2 = -
4p(x- h). To get the value of p, plug the coordinates of the vertex and the given
point to the equation, (7- 4)2 = -4p(-8 – 1). We get 9 = - 4p(-9), then p = 1/4.
Our equation is ((y- 4)2 = -4(1/4)(x – 1) which is equal to
(y – 4)2 = -(x – 1)

c. A parabola has focus at (7, 9) and directrix y = 3

 SOLUTION: The directrix is horizontal and the focus is above it. The parabola
then, opens upward and has equation of the form (x – h)2 = 4p(y – k). Since the
distance from the focus to the directrix is 2p = 6, then p = 3. Then count 3 units
below the focus to locate the vertex which is at (7, 6). The standard equation is

(x-7)2= 12(y- 6)

Example 3. Situational Problems Involving Parabolas

a. Two towers of a suspension bridge are 400m apart and are 160m high. The
cable between the two towers hangs in the shape of a parabola, which is at its
lowest, 40 m above the ground. How high is the cable 100 m from a tower.

SOLUTION:

Refer to the figure above, where the parabolic cable is drawn with its vertex on
the y- axis, 40 ft above the origin. The equation satisfying the figure is (x- h)2
= 4p(y- k). Since the towers are 160 ft high and 400 ft apart, we can deduce from
the figure that (200, 160) is a point on the parabola. Use (0, 40) as the vertex.
(x – 0)2 = 4p(y- 40)
x2 = 4p(y – 40)
To get p substitute the point (200, 160) to that equation
2002 = 4p(160- 40)
40, 000 = 4p(120)
480

p = 83.33
The parabola has equation (x – 0)2 = 4(83.33)(y – 40) or equivalently,
x2 = 333. 32(y – 40)

For the point on the parabola, 100 m away from the tower, if x = 100, then
1002 = 333.32(y – 40)
10,000 = 333.32y – 13332.8
10,000 + 13332.8 = 333.32y
23,332.8= 333.32y
333.32
 y = 70.21 m

Thus the cable is 70.21m high 100m from either tower.

b. A satellite dish, shaped like a paraboloid , has a width of 7 ft across and

a depth of 2 ft above the vertex. If the receiver is placed at the focus, how high
above the vertex is the receiver?

SOLUTION:

Refer to the figure above where the vertex is at the origin. The equation of
the parabola to be used is x2 = 4py. We need to find the distance from the vertex
to the focus or the value of p. To find p, will use the point (3. 5, 2) which is a
point on the parabola.
(3.5)2 = 4p(2)
12.25 = 8p
8
p = 1. 53 ft
Thus the receiver should be 1.53 ft away from the vertex.