Question

Find the standard form of the equation of the parabola with a focus at (-8, 0) and a directrix at x = 8.+

Answer 1

the parabola is concave left, since the focus is to the left of the directrix.



so the general form is

y^2 = -4ax (the equation)

the distance between the focus and directrix is 2a

so 2a = 16

solve for a and substitute into the equation

hope this helps