Write the equation of a parabola with a vertex at (-5, 2) and a directrix y = -1. http://picpaste.com/pics/Screen_Shot_2014-10-27_at_7.00.28_PM-Hf0rsvAz.1414461676.png

Question

anonymous · Answer

you got any idea what this looks like?
if so, the answer is easy to get

anonymous · Answer

not really. Although I was thinking that it was x+5=-1/12(y-2)^2

anonymous · Answer

what i means was, do you know what the parabola looks like?
"no" is a fine answer, i am just asking

anonymous · Answer

No i don't.

anonymous · Answer

ok lets plot $(-5,2)$ and also the line $y=-1$

anonymous · Answer

|dw:1414461958064:dw|

anonymous · Answer

|dw:1414462011246:dw|

anonymous · Answer

from the picture  you see it opens up
that means the $x$ term is squared
general form with vertex $(h,k)$ is 
$$4p(y-k)=(x-h)^2$$
in your case 
$$4p(y-2)=(x+5)^2$$ and all you need no w is $p$

anonymous · Answer

p is the distance between the vertex and the line, from -1 to 2 is 3 units, so it is 
$$12(y-2)=(x+5)^2$$ or in the form you have 
$$y-2=\frac{1}{12}(x+5)^2$$

anonymous · Answer

you can check that it is right here http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=parabla+12%28y-2%29%3D%28x%2B5%29^2

anonymous · Answer

Oh okay wow thank ou for all the steps. I am going to save this and referer back to this.

anonymous · Answer

ok good luck 
i don't think i skipped any steps, but if you have any questions about one of them let me know