Pre-Calculus 80

PRE-CALCULUS
MODULE 11
Topic: Parabola
 Pre-Calculus 81

Objectives
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
- define parabola,
- identify the parts of a parabola,
- differentiate the types of parabolas and its properties, and
- determine the equation in standard form and general form of a parabola.

LESSON NOTES

Parabola is a symmetrical open plane curve formed by the intersection of a cone

with a plane parallel to its side.

Parabola is the locus of a point that moves in a plane such

as its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed
line. Its eccentricity is 1.

Parts of a Parabola
• The fixed point f is called the focus.

• The fixed line d is called the directrix.

• The point on the parabola which is halfway from

the focus to the directrix is the vertex.

• The axis of symmetry is the line passing through

the focus and perpendicular to the directrix. This
axis divides the parabola in two equal parts.

• A focal chord connecting two points of the

parabola passing through the focus and
perpendicular to the axis of symmetry is called
the latus rectum.
 Pre-Calculus 82

Length and Distances in an Ellipse

a = distance from the vertex to the
focus or from the vertex to directrix.

2a = is the distance from focus to an

end of latus rectum or directrix.

4a = length of the latus rectum

STANDARD FORM OF EQUATIONS OF AN ELLIPSE VERTEX AT THE ORIGIN (0,0)

Upward opening Downward opening

x 2 = 4ay x 2 = −4ay

equation of directrix y = − a equation of directrix y = a

equation of axis of symmetry x = 0 equation of axis of symmetry x = 0

Right opening Left opening

y 2 = 4ax y 2 = −4ax

equation of directrix x = − a equation of directrix x = a

equation of axis of symmetry y = 0 equation of axis of symmetry y = 0
 Pre-Calculus 83

GENERAL FORM of Equation of Parabolas vertex at the origin (0,0)

Upward and downward opening Left and right opening
𝑥 2 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0 𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐹 = 0

Example Problems
I. Identify the opening of the following parabolas.

1. 𝑥 2 + 16𝑦 = 0 downward 4. −2𝑦 2 = 10𝑥 left

2. 𝑦 2 − 4𝑥 = 0 right 5. 5𝑥 − 3𝑦 2 = 0 right
3. 4𝑥 2 = 12𝑦 upward

Transform the standard form into standard form.

OOoooppss. If the x is squared, the parabola is vertical (opens upward or

How to easily identify the downward). If a is positive the parabola opens upward. If
opening of the parabola negative, it opens downward.
given the standard form of
equations? If the y is squared, the parabola is horizontal (opens left or
right). If a is positive the parabola opens to the right. If
negative, it opens to the left.

Solutions:
1. 𝑥 2 + 16𝑦 = 0
Since x is squared and the coefficient of y is
x 2 + 16 y = 0 general form
negative, therefore the parabola opens downward
x 2 = −16 y standard form

2. 𝑦 2 − 4𝑥 = 0

y2 − 4x = 0 general form Since y is squared and the coefficient of x is

positive, therefore the parabola opens to the right
y2 = 4x standard form

3. 4𝑥 2 = 12𝑦
Simplify the given standard form of equations
4 x 2 = 12 y
4 x 2 = 3 12 y Since x is squared and the coefficient of y is
4 = 4 positive, therefore the parabola opens upward
x2 = 3 y standard form
 Pre-Calculus 84

4. −2𝑦 2 = 10𝑥

− 2 y 2 = 10 x
Simplify the given standard form of equations
−5
−2 y 2 = 10 x
−2 = −2 Since y is squared and the coefficient of x is
negative, therefore the parabola opens to the left
y 2 = −5 x standard form

5. 5𝑥 − 3𝑦 2 = 0
Since y is squared and the coefficient of x is
5x − 3 y = 0
2
general form positive, therefore the parabola opens to the right
− 3 y = −5 x
2
simplify
−3 y = − 5 x
2

−3 = −3
5
y2 = x standard form
3

II. Solve for the standard form of the parabola 𝑥 2 + 16𝑦 = 0 and identify its opening. Graph the
parabola.

Solution: x 2 + 16 y = 0 General form of equation

x = −16 y
2
Standard form of equation

Given:
• Since x is squared and the coefficient of y is negative, therefore the parabola opens
downward.

• If the standard form of a parabola opens downward is 𝑥 2 = −4𝑎𝑦 and the given is
𝑥 2 = −16𝑦, therefore 𝟒𝒂 = 𝟏𝟔. x 2 = −4 a y
• If 4𝑎 = 16, therefore 𝟐𝒂 = 𝟖, and 𝒂 = 𝟒. x 2 = −16 y

• The equation of the directrix for parabola opens downward is 𝒚 = 𝒂, therefore the equation
of the diretrix for the given parabola is 𝒚 = 𝟒.

• The equation of the axis of symmtery for parabola opens downward is 𝒙 = 𝟎.

 Pre-Calculus 85

Graph
• Plot the vertex at the origin (0,0).

• Plotting the focus. Since the focus is a

units away from the vertex and the
parabola opens downward, move 4
units below the vertex.

• Plotting the endpoints of the latus

rectum. Since 2a is the distance from
focus to an end of latus rectum. Move
8 units to the left and to the right of the
focus.

To wrap up everything that we have talked about in this lesson, let us try to answer
the given activities.
Thinking time

ACTIVITIES

1. Complete the table

General Form of Standard Form of

Opening
Equation Equation

4 x 2 − 20 y = 0

x − 3 y2 = 0

12 x 2 + 2 y = 0

1 2
y +x=0
4

24 y − 20 x 2 = 0
 Pre-Calculus 86

2. Graph the following parabolas in rectangular coordinate system.

✓ x2 − 4 y = 0
✓ 12 x − 2 y 2 = 0
1 2
y +x=0
✓ 8

GENERALIZATIONS

✓ Parabola is the locus of a point that moves in a plane such as its distance from a
fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed line. Its eccentricity is 1.
✓ The standard form of a parabola opens upward, vertex at the origin is 𝑥 2 = 4𝑎𝑦.
✓ The standard form of a parabola opens downward, vertex at the origin is 𝑥 2 = −4𝑎𝑦.
✓ The standard form of a parabola opens to the right, vertex at the origin is 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥.
✓ The standard form of a parabola opens to the left, vertex at the origin is 𝑦 2 = −4𝑎𝑥.
✓ The general form of a parabola opens upward and downward, vertex at the origin is
𝑥 2 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0
✓ The general form of a parabola opens to the right and left, vertex at the origin is
𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐹 = 0
 Pre-Calculus 87

PRE-CALCULUS
MODULE 12
Topic: Parabola
 Pre-Calculus 88

Objectives
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
- define parabola,
- determine the equation in standard form and general form of a parabola with vertex (h, k),
- graph a parabola with vertex (h, k) in a rectangular coordinate system.

LESSON NOTES

Parabola is the locus of a point that moves in a plane such as its

distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed line. Its
eccentricity is 1.

Parts of a Parabola
• The fixed point f is called the focus.

• The fixed line d is called the directrix.

• The point on the parabola which is halfway from the focus to the directrix is the vertex with
coordinates (h, k).

• The axis of symmetry is the line passing through the focus and perpendicular to the directrix.
This axis divides the parabola in two equal parts.

• A focal chord connecting two points of the parabola passing through the focus and
perpendicular to the axis of symmetry is called the latus rectum.
 Pre-Calculus 89

Length and Distances in an Ellipse

a = distance from the vertex to the focus
or from the vertex to directrix.

2a = is the distance from focus to an end

of latus rectum or directrix.

4a = length of the latus rectum

STANDARD FORM OF EQUATIONS OF AN ELLIPSE WITH VERTEX (h, k)

Upward opening Downward opening

2 x = 4ay
2

( x − h) = 4a ( y − k ) ( x − h) = −4 a ( y − k )
2

equation of directrix y = k − a equation of directrix y = k + a

equation of axis of symmetry x = h equation of axis of symmetry x = h

(y −k) = −4a ( x − h )
2

Right opening Left opening

(y −k) = 4a ( x − h ) (y −k) = −4a ( x − h )

2 2

equation of directrix x = h − a equation of directrix x = h + a

equation of axis of symmetry y = k equation of axis of symmetry y = k
 Pre-Calculus 90

GENERAL FORM of Equation of Parabolas with vertex (h, k)

Upward and downward opening Left and right opening
𝑥 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0 𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0

Example Problems
I. Identify the opening of the following parabolas.

1. 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 2 = 0 downward
2. 𝑦 2 − 5𝑥 + 10𝑦 − 5 = 0 right
3. 4(𝑥 − 2)2 = 12(𝑦 − 1) upward
4. −2(𝑦 − 9)2 = 10(𝑥 + 5) left
5. 2𝑥 − 3𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 + 1 = 0 right

Transform the standard form into standard form.

OOoooppss. If the x is squared, the parabola is vertical (opens upward or

How to easily identify the downward). If a is positive the parabola opens upward. If
opening of the parabola negative, it opens downward.
given the standard form of
equations? If the y is squared, the parabola is horizontal (opens left or
right). If a is positive the parabola opens to the right. If
negative, it opens to the left.

Solutions:
1. 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 2 = 0

x2 + 4x + 3 y − 2 = 0 general form
Since x is squared
x 2 + 4 x = −3 y + 2
and 4a is negative,
x 2 + 4 x + ? = −3 y + 2 + ? completing the square therefore the parabola
x 2 + 4 x + 4 = −3 y + 2 + 4 opens downward
x 2 + 4 x + 4 = −3 y + 6 simplify
( x + 2 ) = −3 y + 6
2
Factor
( x + 2 ) = −3 ( y − 2 )
2
Common monomial factoring
( x + 2 ) = −3 ( y − 2 )
2
standard form
 Pre-Calculus 91

2. 𝑦 2 − 5𝑥 + 10𝑦 − 5 = 0

y 2 − 5 x + 10 y − 5 = 0 general form Since y is

squared and 4a is
y 2 + 10 y = 5 x + 5
positive, therefore
y 2 + 10 y + ? = 5 x + 5 + ? completing the square the parabola opens
y 2 + 10 y + 25 = 5 x + 5 + 25 to the right
y 2 + 10 y + 25 = 5 x + 30 Simplify
( y + 5) = 5 x + 30
2
Factoring PST
( y + 5) = 5 ( x + 6 )
2
Common Monomial Factoring
( y + 5) = 5 ( x + 6 )
2
standard form

3. 4(𝑥 − 2)2 = 12(𝑦 − 1)

4 ( x − 2 ) = 12 ( y − 1) Simplify the given standard form of

2

equations
4 ( x − 2 ) = 3 12 ( y − 1)
2
Since x is squared and 4a is positive,
therefore, the parabola opens upward
4 = 4
( x − 2) = 3 ( y − 1)
2
standard form

4. −2(𝑦 − 9)2 = 10(𝑥 + 5)

− 2 ( y − 9 ) = 10 ( x + 5 ) Simplify the given standard form of

2

equations
−2 ( y − 9 ) = −5
10 ( x + 5)
2
Since y is squared and 4a is negative,
therefore, the parabola opens to the left
−2 = −2
( y − 9) = −5 ( x + 5 )
2
standard form
 Pre-Calculus 92

5. 2𝑥 − 3𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 + 1 = 0

2x − 3y2 − 6 y +1 = 0 general form

− 3 y 2 − 6 y = −2 x − 1
− 3 ( y 2 + 2 y ) = −2 x − 1 Common monomial factoring
− 3 ( y 2 + 2 y + ? ) = −2 x − 1 + ( −3)( ? ) Completing the square
− 3 ( y 2 + 2 y + 1) = −2 x − 1 + ( −3)(1)
− 3 ( y 2 + 2 y + 1) = −2 x − 1 − 3 Simplify
− 3 ( y 2 + 2 y + 1) = −2 x − 4
− 3 ( y + 1) = −2 x − 4
2
Factoring PST
− 3 ( y + 1) = −2 ( x + 2 )
2
Common Monomial Factoring
−3 ( y + 1) = − 2 ( x + 2 )
2
Simplify
−3 = −3
2
( y + 1) = ( x + 2)
2
standard form
3

Since y is squared and 4a is positive, therefore the parabola opens to the right

II. Solve for the standard form of the parabola 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 8𝑦 − 20 and identify its opening. Graph
the parabola.

Solution: x 2 − 4 x + 8 y − 20 = 0 general form

x − 4 x = −8 y + 20
2

x − 4 x + ? = −8 y + 20 + ?
2
completing the square
x − 4 x + 4 = −8 y + 20 + 4
2

x 2 − 4 x + 4 = −8 y + 24 Simplify
( x − 2 ) = −8 y + 24
2
Factoring PST
( x − 2 ) = −8 ( y − 3)
2
Common Monomial Factoring
( x − 2 ) = −8 ( y − 3)
2
standard form
 Pre-Calculus 93

Given:

• Since x is squared and 4a is negative, therefore the parabola opens downward.

• Based on the solved standard form of the parabola opens downward, 𝒉= ( x − 2 ) = −8 ( y − 3)

2

𝟐 and 𝒌 = 𝟑, therefore the

( x − h ) = −4a ( y − k )
2
vertex is (2, 3)

• If the standard form of a parabola opens downward is (𝑥 − ℎ)2 = −4𝑎(𝑦 − 𝑘) and the given
is (𝑥 − 2)2 = −8(𝑦 − 3), therefore 𝟒𝒂 = 𝟖.

• If 4𝑎 = 8, therefore 𝟐𝒂 = 𝟒, and 𝒂 = 𝟐.
• The equation of the directrix for parabola opens downward is 𝒚 = 𝒌 + 𝒂, therefore the
equation of the diretrix for the given parabola is 𝑦 = 3 + 2 or 𝒚 = 𝟓.

• The equation of the axis of symmtery for parabola opens downward is 𝒙 = 𝒉 or 𝒙 = 𝟐

Graph
• Plot the vertex (2, 3).

• Plotting the focus. Since the focus is a units away from the vertex and the parabola opens
downward, move 2 units below the vertex.

• Plotting the endpoints of the latus rectum. Since 2a is the distance from focus to an end of
latus rectum. Move 4 units to the left and to the right of the focus.
 Pre-Calculus 94

To wrap up everything that we have talked about in this lesson, let us try to answer
the given activities.
Thinking time

ACTIVITIES

1. Complete the table

Length of
Standard Form of
General Form of Equation Vertex the Opening
Equation
LR

( x + 3) = −10 ( y − 1)
2

 1 
− , 5 8 upward
 2 

4 ( x − 4 ) = 12 ( y + 7 )
2

( −1, 1) 9 left

3x 2 = −27 y

2. Graph the following parabolas in rectangular coordinate system.

✓ 𝑦 2 − 4𝑥 + 10𝑦 + 29 = 0
✓ 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 − 6𝑦 + 21 = 0
✓ 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 10𝑦 − 14 = 0
 Pre-Calculus 95

GENERALIZATIONS

• Parabola is the locus of a point that moves in a plane such as its distance from a fixed
point is equal to its distance from a fixed line. Its eccentricity is 1.
• The standard form of a parabola opens upward, with vertex (h, k) is
(𝑥 − ℎ)2 = 4𝑎(𝑦 − 𝑘).
• The standard form of a parabola opens downward, with vertex (h, k) is
(𝑥 − ℎ)2 = −4𝑎(𝑦 − 𝑘).
• The standard form of a parabola opens to the right, with vertex (h, k) is
(𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 4𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ).
• The standard form of a parabola opens to the left, with vertex (h, k) is
(𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = −4𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ).
• The general form of a parabola opens upward and downward, with vertex (h, k) is
𝑥 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0
• The general form of a parabola opens to the right and left, with vertex (h, k) is
𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0