As you come in, get a slip of paper

from your teacher and fill in the

information in the chart.

Be prepared to justify your

answers (explaining why).
What do you know about each equation?
Equation Vertex P= Opens Squared Horizontal
variable? or
Vertical?
(-4, 3) (Positive) Right Y Horizontal

(-6, 0) (Positive) Up X Vertical

(-1, -10) (Negative) Left Y Horizontal

(9, 0) (Positive) Up X Vertical

MCC9-12.G.GPE.2
How do you graph and find the important
information about parabolas?
What are the directrix and focus?
Take a piece of patty paper and
1. Fold one end making a straight line.
2. Use a marker or pen to draw the line over
the crease.
3. Draw a dot somewhere above the line.
4. Fold the line so that it intersects (passes
over)the dot and make a crease.
5. Continue step 4 from both sides.
MCC9-12.G.GPE.2
How do you graph and find the important
information about parabolas?

What are the directrix and focus?

 A parabola is the set of all points in a

plane that are the same distance
 from a fixed point (called the focus),
 and a fixed line (called the directrix).
 Let’s make sure you’ve got it!
What relationship does the vertex have
with the focus and directrix?

The vertex is the midpoint between the

focus and the directrix.
What number represents this distance?

“p” is always the distance from the focus to

the vertex, or the distance from the vertex
to the directrix.
What happens when the “p” value changes?

Geometer’s Sketchpad
 Using your notes
find the important information and graph
(y-3) 2 = -12 (x+2)
Direction of the parabola, Vertex, focus,
directrix, axis of symmetry
 p= -3 ; h=-2; k=3
 Vertical (opens left)
 Vertex (-2,3)
 Focus (-5,3)
 Directrix x=1
 Axis of Symmetry y = 3
When will this math ever been used?
 A satellite dish is an
ideal example of a
parabola.
 Why would this
shape allow the
satellite to recieve
the maximum
signal?
Can you think of other ways parabolas
are used in everyday items?
Everyday importance of parabolas.

 Arched bridges are

designed for
stability.

 Why is this
important?
Suspension bridges
depend on
parabolically curved
cables to support the
weight of the road
bed of the bridge.

The weight of the

bridge is evenly
distributed among
the support cables
which run parallel to
the axis of symmetry,
The Golden Gate bridge is a
similar to the paths
suspension bridge in San Francisco,
of rays reflected off
California. The towers are 1280
the surface of
meters apart and rise 160 meters
parabolic reflectors.
above the road.
Fun parabola sitings!
EQ: How do you find the important information and graph parabolas?

Work out the 4 problems

(hint: we did #1 already)