Use the definition of a parabola and the distance

AI Thread Summary
To find the equation of a parabola using the distance formula, one must understand that a parabola is defined as the set of points equidistant from a focus and a directrix. For the first case with a directrix at x = -4 and focus at (2,2), the distance can be expressed and simplified to yield the equation y = (x^2 - 4x + 4)/8. The discussion also highlights confusion around the distance formula and the definition of a parabola among participants. Additionally, there is a commentary on the varying difficulty levels of Pre-Calculus problems across different educational systems. Understanding these concepts is essential for solving parabola-related equations effectively.
r-soy
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Hi all

Use the definition of a parabola and the distance formula to find the equation of a parabola with

a ) directix x = -4 and focus (2,2 )
B ) directix x = 2 and focus (6,-4 )


How i solve like this queation please hle me the steps to solve that

thanks
 
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Hi r-soy! :wink:
r-soy said:
Hi all

Use the definition of a parabola and the distance formula to find the equation of a parabola with

a ) directix x = -4 and focus (2,2 )
B ) directix x = 2 and focus (6,-4 )


How i solve like this queation please hle me the steps to solve that

thanks

First, write out the definition of a parabola, and the distance formula …

what are they? :smile:
 
hhhh what is the formula ??
 
r-soy said:
hhhh what is the formula ??

The "distance formula"?

I've no idea … you mentioned it. :confused:
 
tiny-tim said:
The "distance formula"?

I've no idea … you mentioned it. :confused:
Aww, I'll bet you're just being coy, tiny-tim.:biggrin:
 
Mark44 said:
Aww, I'll bet you're just being coy, tiny-tim.:biggrin:

uhh? oh, for a moment i thought you said "koi"! :blushing:

no, i really don't know which formula is being referred to (i'll guess it has something to do with the focus or the directrix)
 
Here's the definition: A parabola is the set of all points equidistant from a fixed point (the focus) and a fixed line (the directrix).

The distance formula is the plain old distance formula we all know and love.
 
Mark44 said:
The distance formula is the plain old distance formula we all know and love.

uhhh? do you mean Pythagoras? :confused:
 
As I see it first the distance between the point (x,y) and (2,2) [The focus] can be expressed

\sqrt{(x-2)^2 + (y-2)^2} = 2+y

which can be simplified to to find the expression for the parabol in case a..

Which gives us

y = \frac{x^2-4x+4}{8} as the expression for the parabola in case a).

Susanne
 
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  • #10
Very good. However, I wonder if r-soy ever tried to do that, or if he even knows the definition of "parabola".
 
  • #11
HallsofIvy said:
Very good. However, I wonder if r-soy ever tried to do that, or if he even knows the definition of "parabola".

If not there is magically place out there called The Google and The Wikipedia which can give the definition of both the parabola and how and why to use the formula which I used in the above post.

But I say thanks for the compliment HallsoftIvy. Now I will sleep well knowing that the great HallsoftIvy gave me a thumbs up for my work for once :D

Have a nice day...

I consider Pre-Calculus to be High School level Math. But some of problems posted in Pre-Calculus are like Post Calculus and even post-Real Analysis here. Is it because what's Pre-Calculus in one country isn't the same all over?
 
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