Civil Engineering November 2020 Review Innovations Analytic Geometry 3

THE CONIC SECTIONS: THE PARABOLA (e = 1): Problems: (PARABOLA)

= set of points which are equidistant from the focus
as well as from the directrix. 1. Locate the vertex and focus and find the length of
f1 = d1 the latus rectum of the parabola:
x2 + 12x + 10y + 6 = 0
(x − a)2 + y 2 = x+a
2. A parabola has its axis parallel to the y-axis, one
2 2 2 2 2
x − 2ax + a + y = x + 2ax + a end of its latus rectum is at (9, 6) and the vertex is
Hyperbola 2 at (5, 4). Determine the following:
Parabola y = 4ax
y a) length of latus rectum
y b) equation of the parabola
x2 = -4ay c) equation of the directrix of the parabola.
x
3. Find the equation of the locus of a point which
x moves so that its distance from the line x + 4 = 0 is
x2 = 4ay 5 more than its distance from the point (3, 1).

Ellipse y y 4. A comet from deep space approaches the sun

along a parabolic orbit. When the comet is 100
General Definition of Conic Sections: x x million miles from the sun, the line joining the sun
= a set of points such that the distance from any point y2 = - 4ax and the comet makes an angle of 60 with the axis
0

to a fixed point called focus is in constant ratio to its of the parabola. How close to the sun will the comet
y2 = 4ax
distance to a fixed line called directrix. The constant get?
ratio is called its eccentricity, e.
Note:
5. A parabolic concrete arch spans a width of 40ft
If vertex is at (h, k), change
y with a 20ft wide road passing under the bridge. The
e = f1/d1 = f2/d2 = f3/d3 x to x-h and y to y-k.
minimum vertical clearance over the roadway must
d1 Length of latus rectum =
d2
• 4a
be 10ft. What is the height of the smallest such arch

1 •f f1
If e = 1, it’s a parabola
d1
• P(x, y)
that can be used?
2
d2 Problem for Practice:
• Focus e < 1, it’s an ellipse
•
f2
f1 1. Locate the vertex, focus and the coordinates of
f3 F(a, 0) x the length of the latus rectum of the parabola:
• y2 + 4x - 4y + 16 = 0
e > 1, it’s a hyperbola Latus rectum Answers: V(-3, 2); F(-4, 2);
d3
• a a
f3
Ends of Latus Rectum (-4, 4) and (-4, 0)

d3 2. Find the equation of the parabola whose vertex is

Directrix •
the origin and whose directrix is the line x = 4.
D Answer: y2 = -16x

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Civil Engineering November 2020 Review Innovations Analytic Geometry 3

3. An arch in the shape of an arc of a parabola

measures 6m across the base and its vertex is 2.50m
above the base. Find the length of the beam parallel
to the base and 2m above it.
Answer: 2.68 m

4. Find the equation of parabola(s) with latus

rectum equal to 1, axis parallel to the x-axis and
passing through (3, 1).
Answers: (y – 4)2 = x + 6
(y – 2)2 = - (x – 4)

5. A radio telescope has a parabolic dish with

diameter of 100m. The collected radio signals are
reflected to one collection point, called the focal
point (the focus of the parabola). Find the depth of
the dish of the focal length is 45m.
Answer: 13.89 m

6. Find the equation of parabola(s) with focal chord

joining the points (-1, -5) and (-1, 7).
Answers: (y – 1)2 = -12 (x – 2)
(y – 1)2 = 12 (x + 4)

Situation 1:
A parabolic arch has a span of 48 m and has a height
of 20 m at a distance 16 m from the center of the
span.
7. What is the height of the parabolic arch?
8. What is the equation of the parabolic arch?
9. What is the height of the parabolic arch at a
distance of 8 m from the center of the span?
Answers: 36 m;
x2 + 16y – 576 = 0;
32 m

Manila FB: @ReviewInnovationsOfficial Cebu FB: Excel-RI CE Review Specialist Inc. Davao FB: Review Innovations Davao Branch
 (02) 8735-9161 0919-227-9194  (032) 268-5989 0919-822 -5048  (082) 221-1121 0930-256-0998