An archway will be constructed over a walkway. A piece of wood will need to be curved to match a parabola. Explain to Maurice how to find the equation of the parabola given the focal point and the directrix.

Question

mathmale · Answer

There are several forms of the equation of a parabola (or equation of a quadratic).  One of these equations involves the quantity p, which is the distance between the vertex and the focus.  Would you please look through your materials and find one or more equations involving this "p."

jilltalks · Answer

the equation i was going to use was the distance formula

jilltalks · Answer

help me please!!!!!

jilltalks · Answer

Anyone?

jilltalks · Answer

Help!?

mathmale · Answer

Please do an Internet search for "equation of parabola."
It's true that you must find the distance between focus and vertex, but it's unlikely that you'll need the distance formula for that.