Precalculus (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32197-907-9
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-907-0

Chapter 10 - Analytic Geometry - 10.2 The Parabola - 10.2 Assess Your Understanding - Page 646: 19

Answer

c).

Work Step by Step

If the major axis of the parabola is parallel to the y-axis then it is in the form of $k(y-a)=(x-b)^2$, where $(b,a)$ is the vertex of the parabola and $k$ is a constant (positive if open up, negative if open down). If the major axis of the parabola is parallel to the x-axis then it is in the form of $k(x-a)=(y-b)^2$, where $(a,b)$ is the vertex of the parabola and $k$ is a constant. (positive if open right, negative if open left) Here the major axis is parallel to the x-axis, $k=\pm4$ in all cases, but here it is open left, hence $k=-4$ and the vertex is in $(0,0)$. Hence the equation: $-4(x-0)=(y-0)^2\\-4x=y^2$ Thus the answer is c).
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