Question

Find the standard form of the equation of the parabola with a focus at (0, 4) and a directrix at y = -4.

Answer 1

for the parabola
x^2 = 4by
the focus is (0,b ) and the directrix is y=-b
can you do the above question now

Answer 2

uuummm can you show me what the first step would be?

Answer 3

compare your focus (0,4) with (0,b) then can you make out 'b'

Answer 4

oh so the answer is y2 = 16x ?

Answer 5

if you get b =4
then you need to replace 'b' by 4 in x^2 = 4by

Answer 6

no
x^2 = 16 y

Answer 7

if i were you i would plot your points. The focus is at (0,4) and you directrix is y = -4. plotting them looks like this:

Answer 8

your vertex is exactly halfway between those two, like this: