Help please
Identify the vertex, focus and directrix of the parabola with the equation x^2-6x-8y+49=0

Question

Help please
Identify the vertex, focus and directrix of the parabola with the equation x^2-6x-8y+49=0

mathmale · Answer

I see that x is squared here, but y is not.  Will this parabola open up or down, OR will it open to the right or to the left?

anonymous · Answer

I'm pretty sure its up but idk how to find that out

anonymous · Answer

someone gave me the answers but didn't tell me how to do it and I'm really confused

anonymous · Answer

@mathmale

mathmale · Answer

That's a powerful reason for not accepting answers from others...you and I MUST understand how to obtain correct results ourselves.

What does the graph of y=x^2 look like?

mathmale · Answer

This is one of the commonest functions in algebra and calculus;  Have to know the shape of the graph of y=x^2 by heart.

anonymous · Answer

i honestly suck at algebra i can't even tell you the answer to that

mathmale · Answer

I honestly wish you wouldn't say you "honestly suck at algebra."  It does nothing for your self esteem nor your progress in math.

What you don't know, you can most likely learn.

You do need to know the shapes of the most basic algebraic functions.

mathmale · Answer

|dw:1451966515596:dw|