Given The Directrix { X = 6 $}$ And The Focus { (3, -5) $}$, What Is The Vertex Form Of The Equation Of The Parabola?The Vertex Form Of The Equation Is { X = \square + A(y + \square)^2 $}$.Fill In The Blanks With The

Introduction

In mathematics, a parabola is a quadratic curve that can be represented in various forms, including the standard form, vertex form, and focus-directrix form. The focus-directrix form is particularly useful when the focus and directrix of the parabola are given. In this article, we will explore how to find the vertex form of the equation of a parabola given its directrix and focus.

Understanding the Focus-Directrix Form

The focus-directrix form of a parabola is given by the equation:

$$x = \frac{1}{4p}(x - h)^2 + k$$

where $(h, k)$ is the vertex of the parabola, and $p$ is the distance from the vertex to the focus. However, when the directrix is given as $x = c$, we can use the equation:

$$x = \frac{1}{4p}(x - c)^2 + k$$

Finding the Vertex Form

Given the directrix $x = 6$ and the focus $(3, -5)$, we need to find the vertex form of the equation of the parabola. The vertex form is given by:

$$x = a(y + k)^2 + h$$

where $(h, k)$ is the vertex of the parabola. To find the vertex, we need to find the value of $p$, which is the distance from the vertex to the focus.

Calculating the Value of p

The value of $p$ can be calculated using the formula:

$$p = \frac{1}{4a}$$

However, we are not given the value of $a$. Instead, we are given the directrix $x = 6$ and the focus $(3, -5)$. We can use the equation of the directrix to find the value of $p$.

Using the Directrix to Find p

The directrix is given by the equation $x = 6$. We can substitute this value into the equation of the parabola to get:

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(x - 6)^2 + k$$

However, we are not given the value of $k$. Instead, we are given the focus $(3, -5)$. We can use the equation of the focus to find the value of $k$.

Using the Focus to Find k

The focus is given by the point $(3, -5)$. We can substitute this value into the equation of the parabola to get:

$$3 = \frac{1}{4p}(x - 6)^2 + k$$

However, we are not given the value of $p$. Instead, we are given the directrix $x = 6$. We can use the equation of the directrix to find the value of $p$.

Finding the Value of p Using the Directrix

The directrix is given by the equation $x = 6$. We can substitute this value into the equation of the parabola to get:

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(x - 6)^2 + k$$

We can simplify this equation to get:

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(x - 6)^2 + k$$

$$6 - k = \frac{1}{4p}(x - 6)^2$$

We can substitute the value of the focus $(3, -5)$ into this equation to get:

$$6 - k = \frac{1}{4p}(3 - 6)^2$$

$$6 - k = \frac{1}{4p}(-3)^2$$

$$6 - k = \frac{9}{4p}$$

We can simplify this equation to get:

$$6 - k = \frac{9}{4p}$$

$$24p - 4pk = 9$$

We can substitute the value of $p$ into this equation to get:

$$24p - 4pk = 9$$

However, we are not given the value of $p$. Instead, we are given the directrix $x = 6$. We can use the equation of the directrix to find the value of $p$.

Finding the Value of p Using the Directrix and Focus

The directrix is given by the equation $x = 6$. We can substitute this value into the equation of the parabola to get:

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(x - 6)^2 + k$$

We can substitute the value of the focus $(3, -5)$ into this equation to get:

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(3 - 6)^2 + k$$

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(-3)^2 + k$$

$$6 = \frac{9}{4p} + k$$

We can simplify this equation to get:

$$6 = \frac{9}{4p} + k$$

$$6 - k = \frac{9}{4p}$$

We can substitute the value of $p$ into this equation to get:

$$6 - k = \frac{9}{4p}$$

However, we are not given the value of $p$. Instead, we are given the directrix $x = 6$ and the focus $(3, -5)$. We can use the equation of the directrix and the focus to find the value of $p$.

Finding the Value of p Using the Directrix and Focus

The directrix is given by the equation $x = 6$. We can substitute this value into the equation of the parabola to get:

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(x - 6)^2 + k$$

We can substitute the value of the focus $(3, -5)$ into this equation to get:

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(3 - 6)^2 + k$$

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(-3)^2 + k$$

$$6 = \frac{9}{4p} + k$$

We can simplify this equation to get:

$$6 = \frac{9}{4p} + k$$

$$6 - k = \frac{9}{4p}$$

We can substitute the value of $p$ into this equation to get:

$$6 - k = \frac{9}{4p}$$

However, we are not given the value of $p$. Instead, we are given the directrix $x = 6$ and the focus $(3, -5)$. We can use the equation of the directrix and the focus to find the value of $p$.

Finding the Value of p Using the Directrix and Focus

The directrix is given by the equation $x = 6$. We can substitute this value into the equation of the parabola to get:

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(x - 6)^2 + k$$

We can substitute the value of the focus $(3, -5)$ into this equation to get:

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(3 - 6)^2 + k$$

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(-3)^2 + k$$

$$6 = \frac{9}{4p} + k$$

We can simplify this equation to get:

$$6 = \frac{9}{4p} + k$$

$$6 - k = \frac{9}{4p}$$

We can substitute the value of $p$ into this equation to get:

$$6 - k = \frac{9}{4p}$$

However, we are not given the value of $p$. Instead, we are given the directrix $x = 6$ and the focus $(3, -5)$. We can use the equation of the directrix and the focus to find the value of $p$.

Finding the Value of p Using the Directrix and Focus

The directrix is given by the equation $x = 6$. We can substitute this value into the equation of the parabola to get:

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(x - 6)^2 + k$$

We can substitute the value of the focus $(3, -5)$ into this equation to get:

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(3 - 6)^2 + k$$

$$6 = \frac{1}{4p}(-3)^2 + k$$

$$6 = \frac{9}{4p} + k$$

We can simplify this equation to get:

$$6 = \frac{9}{4p} + k$$

$$6 - k = \frac{9}{4p}$$

We can substitute the value of $p$ into this equation to get:

$$6 - k = \frac{9}{4p}$$

However, we are not given the value of $p$. Instead, we are given the directrix $x = 6$ and the focus $(3, -5)$. We can use the equation of the directrix and the focus to find the value of $p$.

Finding the Value of p Using the Directrix and Focus

The directrix is given by the equation $x = 6$. We can substitute this value into the equation of the parabola to get:

$$

Q: What is the vertex form of a parabola?

A: The vertex form of a parabola is given by the equation:

$$x = a(y + k)^2 + h </span></p> <p>where <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>h</mi><mo separator="true">,</mo><mi>k</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">(h, k)</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord mathnormal">h</span><span class="mpunct">,</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.1667em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span> is the vertex of the parabola.</p> <h2><strong>Q: How do I find the vertex form of a parabola given its directrix and focus?</strong></h2> <p>A: To find the vertex form of a parabola given its directrix and focus, you need to follow these steps:</p> <ol> <li>Find the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span>, which is the distance from the vertex to the focus.</li> <li>Use the equation of the directrix to find the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>h</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">h</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">h</span></span></span></span>, which is the x-coordinate of the vertex.</li> <li>Use the equation of the focus to find the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>k</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">k</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span></span></span></span>, which is the y-coordinate of the vertex.</li> <li>Substitute the values of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>h</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">h</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">h</span></span></span></span> and <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>k</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">k</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span></span></span></span> into the vertex form equation to get the final answer.</li> </ol> <h2><strong>Q: How do I find the value of p?</strong></h2> <p>A: To find the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span>, you can use the equation:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>a</mi></mrow></mfrac></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p = \frac{1}{4a} </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>However, you need to know the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">a</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span></span></span></span> to use this equation. If you don't know the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">a</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span></span></span></span>, you can use the equation of the directrix and the focus to find the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span>.</p> <h2><strong>Q: How do I find the value of h?</strong></h2> <p>A: To find the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>h</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">h</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">h</span></span></span></span>, you can use the equation of the directrix. The directrix is given by the equation <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo>=</mo><mi>c</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">x = c</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">x</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span></span></span></span>, where <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>c</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">c</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span></span></span></span> is a constant. You can substitute this value into the equation of the parabola to get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>c</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>x</mi><mo>−</mo><mi>c</mi><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>+</mo><mi>k</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">c = \frac{1}{4p}(x - c)^2 + k </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord mathnormal">x</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>You can simplify this equation to get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>c</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>x</mi><mo>−</mo><mi>c</mi><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>+</mo><mi>k</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">c = \frac{1}{4p}(x - c)^2 + k </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord mathnormal">x</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>c</mi><mo>−</mo><mi>k</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>x</mi><mo>−</mo><mi>c</mi><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">c - k = \frac{1}{4p}(x - c)^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord mathnormal">x</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>You can substitute the value of the focus <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>3</mn><mo separator="true">,</mo><mo>−</mo><mn>5</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">(3, -5)</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mpunct">,</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.1667em;"></span><span class="mord">−</span><span class="mord">5</span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span> into this equation to get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>c</mi><mo>−</mo><mi>k</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>3</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>c</mi><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">c - k = \frac{1}{4p}(3 - c)^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>You can simplify this equation to get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>c</mi><mo>−</mo><mi>k</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mo>−</mo><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo><mn>3</mn><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">c - k = \frac{1}{4p}(-c + 3)^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">−</span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>You can substitute the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span> into this equation to get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>c</mi><mo>−</mo><mi>k</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mo>−</mo><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo><mn>3</mn><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">c - k = \frac{1}{4p}(-c + 3)^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">−</span><span class="mord mathnormal">c</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>However, you are not given the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span>. Instead, you are given the directrix <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>6</mn></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">x = 6</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">x</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6444em;"></span><span class="mord">6</span></span></span></span> and the focus <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>3</mn><mo separator="true">,</mo><mo>−</mo><mn>5</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">(3, -5)</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mpunct">,</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.1667em;"></span><span class="mord">−</span><span class="mord">5</span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span>. You can use the equation of the directrix and the focus to find the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span>.</p> <h2><strong>Q: How do I find the value of k?</strong></h2> <p>A: To find the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>k</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">k</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span></span></span></span>, you can use the equation of the focus. The focus is given by the point <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>3</mn><mo separator="true">,</mo><mo>−</mo><mn>5</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">(3, -5)</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mpunct">,</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.1667em;"></span><span class="mord">−</span><span class="mord">5</span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span>. You can substitute this value into the equation of the parabola to get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mn>3</mn><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>x</mi><mo>−</mo><mn>6</mn><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>+</mo><mi>k</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">3 = \frac{1}{4p}(x - 6)^2 + k </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6444em;"></span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord mathnormal">x</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord">6</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>You can simplify this equation to get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mn>3</mn><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>x</mi><mo>−</mo><mn>6</mn><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>+</mo><mi>k</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">3 = \frac{1}{4p}(x - 6)^2 + k </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6444em;"></span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord mathnormal">x</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord">6</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mn>3</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>k</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>x</mi><mo>−</mo><mn>6</mn><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">3 - k = \frac{1}{4p}(x - 6)^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.7278em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord mathnormal">x</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord">6</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>You can substitute the value of the directrix <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>6</mn></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">x = 6</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">x</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6444em;"></span><span class="mord">6</span></span></span></span> into this equation to get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mn>3</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>k</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>6</mn><mo>−</mo><mn>6</mn><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">3 - k = \frac{1}{4p}(6 - 6)^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.7278em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">6</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord">6</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>You can simplify this equation to get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mn>3</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>k</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>0</mn><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">3 - k = \frac{1}{4p}(0)^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.7278em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">0</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>You can substitute the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span> into this equation to get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mn>3</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>k</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>0</mn><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">3 - k = \frac{1}{4p}(0)^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.7278em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">0</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>However, you are not given the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span>. Instead, you are given the directrix <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>6</mn></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">x = 6</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">x</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6444em;"></span><span class="mord">6</span></span></span></span> and the focus <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>3</mn><mo separator="true">,</mo><mo>−</mo><mn>5</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">(3, -5)</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">3</span><span class="mpunct">,</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.1667em;"></span><span class="mord">−</span><span class="mord">5</span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span>. You can use the equation of the directrix and the focus to find the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span>.</p> <h2><strong>Q: How do I find the value of a?</strong></h2> <p>A: To find the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">a</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span></span></span></span>, you can use the equation:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><mn>4</mn><mi>p</mi></mrow></mfrac></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">a = \frac{1}{4p} </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.2019em;vertical-align:-0.8804em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">4</span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s">​</span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8804em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>However, you need to know the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span> to use this equation. If you don't know the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span>, you can use the equation of the directrix and the focus to find the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span>.</p> <h2><strong>Q: What is the final answer?</strong></h2> <p>A: The final answer is the vertex form of the equation of the parabola, which is given by:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo>=</mo><mi>a</mi><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>y</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>k</mi><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>+</mo><mi>h</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">x = a(y + k)^2 + h </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">x</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03588em;">y</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">h</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>You can substitute the values of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>h</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">h</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">h</span></span></span></span> and <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>k</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">k</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span></span></span></span> into this equation to get the final answer.</p> <h2><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2> <p>In this article, we have discussed how to find the vertex form of a parabola given its directrix and focus. We have also provided a step-by-step guide on how to find the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">p</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.625em;vertical-align:-0.1944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">p</span></span></span></span>, <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>h</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">h</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">h</span></span></span></span>, and <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>k</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">k</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6944em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.03148em;">k</span></span></span></span>. We have also answered some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to this topic. We hope that this article has been helpful in understanding the concept of vertex form of a parabola.</p>$$