Write an equation of a parabola with the given vertex and focus:
vertex (-4,-5); focus (-4,-4)
What is the equation for the parabola?
y=?

Question

Write an equation of a parabola with the given vertex and focus:
vertex (-4,-5); focus (-4,-4) 
What is the equation for the parabola?
y=?

mathmale · Answer

Any clue regarding whether this parabola opens up or down    or    to the left or to the right?  This info is important.

If (and only if) the parabola opens up or down, and has its vertex at the origin (0,0), then its equation looks like

y=4px^2.

If the vertex is at (h,k), then the equation would be y-k = 4p(x-h)^2.

What if the parabola opens to the left or to the right?

See what you can do with this information.