Question

What is the focus of the following graph? (please & thank you)

Answer 1

i guess it is -6

Answer 2

The focal distance is the same as the distance from the directrix to the vertex.Therefore, go to the left of the vertex by the focal distance and you get what coordinate?

Answer 3

@Calcmathlete @goutham1995 guys its supposed to be like

Answer 4

guess thats why when i post questions like this some people dont get it.sorry

Answer 5

Are you asking for the equation of the graph or the coordinate of the focus? What you just posted is the the equation of a graph.

Answer 6

@Calcmathlete equation like the one above.sorry

Answer 7

Again, you need the focal distance. How far is the directrix from the vertex?

Answer 8

@Calcmathlete i have no idea.. i really dont undersatnd. can you walk me through?

Answer 9

How many squares away is the line from the vertex of the parabola?

Answer 10

@Calcmathlete 6

Answer 11

Ok. Use this:
\[a = \frac{1}{4p}\]where:
p = 6
FInd out what a is as a fraction.

Answer 12

a=1/46

Answer 13

@Calcmathlete

Answer 14

Not quite. \(a = \frac{1}{4(6)}\). Redo it (also, you don't have to tag me every time. I'm already here.

Answer 15

1/24

Answer 16

Therefore, \(\large a = \frac{1}{24}\). Now, the form of this graph is:
\[x = -ay^{2}\]Just plug in a and you're done.

Answer 17

ok thanks! but i have one question can i plug in 4p in any equation like this?

Answer 18

Yes. As long as you have the focal distance which is p, you can solve for a. There are a few more mechanics such as why this one had a negative a and stuff, but generally, the a = 1/(4p) part will almost always be used.