What Is the Equation of a Parabola with Vertex (-2, 3) and Focus (0, 3)?

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The discussion focuses on finding the equation of a parabola given its vertex at (-2, 3) and focus at (0, 3). The equation format is established as ((y-3)^2) = 4a(x+2), where 'a' represents the distance between the vertex and focus. Participants emphasize the importance of understanding the relationship between the vertex, focus, and directrix in deriving the equation. A calculation reveals that 'a' equals 2, leading to further exploration of parabola equations. The conversation highlights the educational intent behind solving such problems rather than simply providing answers.
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vertex (-2, 3), focus (0,3)

Find the equation of the parabola.

Dirac.
 
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Dirac said:
vertex (-2, 3), focus (0,3)

Find the equation of the parabola.

Dirac.
What have you tried so far?
Find the directix. then recall
A parabola is the set of point equidistant from the focus and directix.
 
Last edited:
lurflurf said:
What have you tried so far?
Find the directix. then recall
A parabola is the set of point equidistant from the focus and directix.

So far I have got to this

((y-3)^2)=4a(x+2)

What now

Dirac.
 
Dirac said:
So far I have got to this

((y-3)^2)=4a(x+2)

What now

Dirac.
a will be the distance between the focus and vertex.
Why is this?
 
lurflurf said:
a will be the distance between the focus and vertex.
Why is this?

How does one find the vertex
 
Dirac said:
How does one find the vertex
you started out with
vertex (-2, 3), focus (0,3)
The points of a parabola are equidistant from it directrix and focus.
The vertex is the point closest to them. that is
distance(vertex,focus)<=distance(point on parabola,focus)
with equality only when the point is the vertex.
 
lurflurf said:
you started out with
vertex (-2, 3), focus (0,3)
The points of a parabola are equidistant from it directrix and focus.
The vertex is the point closest to them. that is
distance(vertex,focus)<=distance(point on parabola,focus)
with equality only when the point is the vertex.

Could you just post the answer, or would it get up your backside to post something useful in your life

Dirac.
 
Dirac said:
Could you just post the answer, or would it get up your backside to post something useful in your life

Dirac.
I already said you a is the distance between
vertex (-2, 3), focus (0,3)
here you go
a=sqrt[(0-(-2))^2+(3-3)]
=sqrt[2^2]
a=2
Do you understand why?
Can you find the equation of a parabola with
vertex (0,0), focus (0,-4)
 
Dirac said:
Could you just post the answer, or would it get up your backside to post something useful in your life

Dirac.

How pathetic. Why in the world would anyone care what the answer to some made up question like this is? The whole point of an exercise like this is to learn how to get the answer. I'll bet there's a "general formula" for the parabola in the same section of your text as this problem. Look it up. We're here for people who want to learn not for people who want the answers handed to them.
 
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