Learning Targets:

1. From an equation, I can identify the vertex, directrix, and focus of a parabola and sketch the graph.
2. I can write the equation of the parabola in standard form given various pieces of information about the parabola.

Conics: ________________________________________________________________________

Conic Sections: __________________________________________________________________

A parabola is the set of all points (x, y) equidistant from a fixed line (directrix) and a fixed point (focus) not on
the line.

Important Ideas to Remember

1. A parabola is symmetric with respect to its axis.
2. The directrix is parallel to the x or y axis.
3. The vertex is the midpoint between the focus and the directrix.
4. The focus and the directrix lie on the axis, p units from vertex.
5. Standard Forms of the Equations

(x - h)2 = 4p(y - k)
vertical axis
opens up when p is positive
or down when p is negative
directrix y = k - p
focus is on the axis of symmetry,
p units away from the vertex
(h, k + p)

(y - k)2 = 4p(x - h)
horizontal axis
opens left when p is negative
or right when p is positive
directrix x = h - p
focus is on the axis of symmetry
p units away from the vertex
(h + p, k)

What is the purpose of the focus and directrix? (patty paper demonstration)
Example 1: Find the vertex, focus, directrix of the parabola and sketch its graph.

A) y  2 x 2

Vertex:_____________

Focus:______________

Directrix:____________

Axis of Symmetry: Vertical or Horizontal

Opens: Up Down Left Right

B) ( x  3)  ( y  2)2

Vertex:_____________

Focus:______________

Directrix:____________

Axis of Symmetry: Vertical or Horizontal

Opens: Up Down Left Right

C) y 2  4 y  4 x  0

Vertex:_____________

Focus:______________

Directrix:____________

Axis of Symmetry: Vertical or Horizontal

Opens: Up Down Left Right

D) x2  2 x  8 y  9  0

Vertex:_____________

Focus:______________

Directrix:____________

Axis of Symmetry: Vertical or Horizontal

Opens: Up Down Left Right

E) 2 x2  2 x  y  5  0

Vertex:_____________

Focus:______________

Directrix:____________

Axis of Symmetry: Vertical or Horizontal

Opens: Up Down Left Right

9.1 Warm Up(s)

1. Given (𝑦 + 2)2 = −16(𝑥 + 3) find the vertex, focus, directrix, and graph the parabola.

2. Given (𝑥 + 4)2 = −6(𝑦 + 1), find the vertex, focus, directrix, and graph the parabola.
Learning Targets:
1. I can write the equation of the parabola in standard form given various pieces of information about the
parabola.

Example 1: Find the standard form of the equation of the parabola with vertex at the origin.

5 
A) Focus: (0, 1) B) Focus:  , 0 
2 

C) D) Vertical axis and passes

(-2,6)
through the point (-3,-3)

Example 2: Find the standard form of the equation of the parabola.

A) C)

B) D)
(4.5,4)
(5,3)

 9
E) Vertex: ( -2, 1) & Directrix: x = 1 F) Vertex: (3, -3) & Focus  3,  
 4
Worksheet 9-1 mixed practice

1.

2.

3.

4.
Continue Worksheet 9-1 mixed practice

5.

6.
 “Gateway to the West”
The St. Louis “Gateway Arch” is one of the most famous and recognizable
landmarks in the United States. Known as the “Gateway to the West” due to
its proximity in the Midwest, this Arch has many interesting facts.

Directions: Using research materials (including the internet), answer the following questions
below. Even though the Arch is very close but not actually a parabola, for our mathematical
purposes we will assume that it is.

1) What is the maximum height of the Arch (in feet)? _____________

2) What is the outer width (“base”) of the Arch? _____________

3) What type of “shape” is the Arch? _____________

4) Calculate the mathematical equation of the Arch assuming that is

parabolic (which it is not) in shape. Show all work below and draw a diagram of the Arch with dimensions
below. Equation must be given in exact form. No decimals.
Sketch the graph and use the y-axis as the axis of symmetry and the x-axis as the ground. Use the
parabola equation in vertex form: y  a (x  h )2  k

________________

Based on your answer in #4, what is the height of the Arch when standing……… (Show all work below!!)
Round each answer to the nearest hundredth.

5) 50 feet from under the center of the Arch? 5) ___________

6) 100 feet from under the center of the Arch? 6) ___________

7) 250 feet from under the center of the Arch? 7) ___________

8) You are standing on the ground looking at a point
on the arch that is 50 high. How far from
under the center of the arch are you standing? 8)____________

9) What type of material was used in Arch exterior? ______________

10) There are trams that transport people to the top of the Arch. ______________
What is the capacity of people per tram or “capsule?”

11) How far does each capsule travel from the start to the top of the arch? ______________

12) Who was the architect of the Arch? ______________

13) Where and when was he born? _______________________

14) When was the Arch’s dedication for its completion? ______________

15) What resources did you use to find this information? If the internet was used, write the actual
website(s) below.

9-1 Warm Ups

1. Write the equation of the parabola in standard form given a focus at (-2, 4) and directrix at y = 6.

2. Given a focus at (-5, 0) and a directrix at x = 1, write the equation of the parabola.

3. Write the equation of the parabola in standard form given a focus at (3, 5) and directrix at y = 1.