Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Standard Form of a Parabola
The standard form of a parabola that opens vertically is given by the equation (x - h)² = 4p(y - k), where (h, k) is the vertex and p is the distance from the vertex to the focus. This form allows for easy identification of the vertex and focus, which are crucial for graphing the parabola.
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Focus and Directrix
The focus of a parabola is a fixed point from which distances to points on the parabola are measured, while the directrix is a line that is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the parabola. The parabola is defined as the set of points equidistant from the focus and the directrix, which is essential for deriving its equation.
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Vertex of a Parabola
The vertex of a parabola is the point where it changes direction and is located midway between the focus and the directrix. For the given conditions, the vertex can be calculated as the midpoint of the focus and the directrix, which is critical for writing the standard form of the parabola's equation.
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