3/9/22, 12:38 PM Parabola - Equation, Properties, Examples | Parabola Formula

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Parabola
A parabola is a graph of a quadratic function. Pascal stated that a parabola is a projection of a circ

What is Parabola?
A parabola refers to an equation of a curve, such that a point on the curve is equidistant from a fixe

Parabola Equation

The general equation of a parabola is: y = a(x-h)2 + k or x = a(y-k)2 +h, where (h,k) denotes the ve

Some of the important terms below are helpful to understand the features and parts of a parabola

Focus: The point (a, 0) is the focus of the parabola

Directrix: The line drawn parallel to the y-axis and passing through the point (-a, 0) is the dire
Focal Chord: The focal chord of a parabola is the chord passing through the focus of the parab
Focal Distance: The distance of a point (x1 , y1 ) on the parabola, from the focus, is the focal dis
Latus Rectum: It is the focal chord that is perpendicular to the axis of the parabola and is pass
Eccentricity: (e = 1). It is the ratio of the distance of a point from the focus, to the distance of th

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3/9/22, 12:38 PM Parabola - Equation, Properties, Examples | Parabola Formula

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Standard Equations of a Parabola

There are four standard equations of a parabola. The four standard forms are based on the axis an

The following are the observations made from the standard form of equations:

Parabola is symmetric with respect to its axis. If the equation has the term with y2, then the ax
When the axis of symmetry is along the x-axis, the parabola opens to the right if the coefficient
When the axis of symmetry is along the y-axis, the parabola opens upwards if the coefficient o
 

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3/9/22, 12:38 PM Parabola - Equation, Properties, Examples | Parabola Formula

Parabola Examples
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Example 1: The equation of a parabola is y2 = 24x. Find the length of the latus rectum, focus, a

Solution:

To find: Length of latus rectum, focus and vertex of the parabola

Given: Equation of a parabola: y2 = 24x

Therefore, 4a = 24

a = 24/4 = 6

Now, parabola formula for latus rectum is:

Length of latus rectum = 4a

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3/9/22, 12:38 PM Parabola - Equation, Properties, Examples | Parabola Formula

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3/9/22, 12:38 PM Parabola - Equation, Properties, Examples | Parabola Formula

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Practice Questions on Parabola

1. Find the focus of the parabola y 2 = 16x.

(16, 0)

(8, 0)

(-4, 0)

(4, 0)

FAQs on Parabola
1

What is Parabola in Conic Section?

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3/9/22, 12:38 PM Parabola - Equation, Properties, Examples | Parabola Formula

What is the Equation of Parabola?

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What is the Vertex of the Parabola?

How to Find Equation of a Parabola?

What is The Eccentricity of Parabola?

What is the Foci of a Parabola?

What is the Conjugate Axis of a Parabola?

What are The Vertices of a Parabola?

What is the Standard Equation of a Parabola?

How to Find Transverse Axis of a Parabola?

Where is Parabola Formula Used in Real Life?

How Do you Solve Problems Using Parabola Formula?

Do all Parabolas Formula Represent a Function?

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3/9/22, 12:38 PM Parabola - Equation, Properties, Examples | Parabola Formula

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