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 647: 63

Answer

$y^2=\frac{1}{2}(x+2)$

Work Step by Step

If the major axis of the parabola is parallel to the y-axis then it is in the form of $4k(y-a)=(x-b)^2$, 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 $4k(x-a)=(y-b)^2$, 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 and the vertex is in $(-2,0)$. Thus the equation becomes $(y-0)^2=4k(x-(2))\\y^2=4k(x+2)$. We also know that $(0,1)$ is on the graph, hence plugging in $x=0,y=1$ gives us: $1^2=4k(0+2)\\1=8k\\k=\frac{1}{8}$. Hence our equation: $y^2=4\frac{1}{8}(x+2)\\y^2=\frac{1}{2}(x+2)$
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