A parabola has a Vertex at (4,-2) and a Focus at (6,-2). Find the equation of the parabola and the lotus rectum.
Equation of a parabola given the vertex and focus is:
(x – h)^2 = 4p(y – k)
The vertex (h, k) is 4, -2
The distance is p, and since the y coordinates of -2 are equal, the distance is 6 - 4 = 2.
So p = 2
Our parabola equation becomes:
(x - 4)^2 = 4(2)(y - -2)
(x - 4)^2 = 8(y + 2)
Latus rectum of a parabola is 4p, where p is the distance between the vertex and the focus
LR = 4p
LR = 4(2)
LR = 8
Equation of a parabola given the vertex and focus is:
(x – h)^2 = 4p(y – k)
The vertex (h, k) is 4, -2
The distance is p, and since the y coordinates of -2 are equal, the distance is 6 - 4 = 2.
So p = 2
Our parabola equation becomes:
(x - 4)^2 = 4(2)(y - -2)
(x - 4)^2 = 8(y + 2)
Latus rectum of a parabola is 4p, where p is the distance between the vertex and the focus
LR = 4p
LR = 4(2)
LR = 8