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Ch. 7 - Conic Sections
Blitzer - College Algebra 8th Edition
Blitzer8th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136970514Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksBlitzer 8th EditionCh. 7 - Conic SectionsProblem 35
Chapter 8, Problem 35

Find the vertex, focus, and directrix of each parabola with the given equation. Then graph the parabola. (x - 2)2 = 8(y - 1)

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Identify the form of the given equation. The equation \((x - 2)^2 = 8(y - 1)\) is in the form \((x - h)^2 = 4p(y - k)\), which represents a parabola that opens either upward or downward, where \((h, k)\) is the vertex.
From the equation, determine the vertex \((h, k)\). Here, \(h = 2\) and \(k = 1\), so the vertex is at the point \((2, 1)\).
Find the value of \(p\) by comparing \$4p\( to the coefficient on the right side. Since \(4p = 8\), solve for \)p\( to get \)p = 2\(. The positive value of \)p$ indicates the parabola opens upward.
Locate the focus using the vertex and \(p\). For a parabola opening upward, the focus is at \((h, k + p)\), so substitute to get the focus at \((2, 1 + 2)\).
Write the equation of the directrix, which is a horizontal line \(p\) units opposite the focus from the vertex. For this parabola, the directrix is \(y = k - p\), so substitute to get \(y = 1 - 2\).

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Key Concepts

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 (x - h)^2 = 4p(y - k), where (h, k) is the vertex. This form helps identify the vertex directly and the value of p, which determines the distance from the vertex to the focus and directrix.
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Parabolas as Conic Sections

Vertex, Focus, and Directrix

The vertex is the parabola's turning point. The focus is a point inside the parabola where all reflected rays converge, located p units from the vertex along the axis of symmetry. The directrix is a line p units from the vertex on the opposite side of the focus, serving as a reference for defining the parabola.
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Vertex Form

Graphing a Parabola

Graphing involves plotting the vertex, focus, and directrix, then sketching the curve symmetric about the axis through the vertex and focus. Knowing the direction the parabola opens (up or down) depends on the sign of p in the equation, guiding the shape and orientation of the graph.
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Horizontal Parabolas
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Graph each ellipse and give the location of its foci. (x − 2)²/9 + (y -1)² /4= 1

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Textbook Question

In Exercises 31–34, find the vertex, focus, and directrix of each parabola with the given equation. Then match each equation to one of the graphs that are shown and labeled (a)–(d). (y - 1)2 = - 4(x - 1)


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