Find the standard form of the equation of the parabola with a focus at (0, -3) and a directrix at y = 3.

Question

jdoe0001 · Answer

in a parabola the distance from the vertex to either the focus or the directrix is exactly the same
focus is at (0, -3), directrix is y = 3 up above
means something like |dw:1376435647186:dw|

the parabola will open towards the focus, so is opening downwards
vertex is half-way between the directrix and the focus, so is the origin
$\bf (x-h)^2=4p(y-k)$

anonymous · Answer

so I'm just given y? how do I know what to plug in to that to find my equation?