Find an equation of a parabola with a vertex at the origin and directrix y = –2.5

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Find an equation of a parabola with a vertex at the origin and directrix y 25 See attachment for choices class=

Respuesta :

When the vertex is at the origin and the directrix is at y = -2.5, the the parabola must be facing upwards and have a general formula of y = 4a x^2. In this case, a is equal to 2.5 that is, y = 4*2.5 x^2 equal to y = 10 x^2 

Answer:

The equation of the parabola is:

[tex]y=\dfrac{1}{10}x^2[/tex]

Step-by-step explanation:

Since the directrix is the line y = -2.5, this is a horizontal line ; thus the parabola opens up or down.

[tex](x - h)^2 = 4p (y - k)[/tex] , where (h, k) is the vertex, the focus is (h, k + p), and the directrix is y = k - p.

The vertex is (h, k), or (0,0)


The directrix is y = -2.5

so k - p = -2.5

⇒    0 - p = -2.5

⇒ p = 2.5


The focus is (h, k + p)

⇒ (0, 0 +2.5)=(0, 2.5)

Thus substituting the values into the base equation,

[tex](x - h)^2 =4p(y-k)\\\\(x - 0)^2 = 4\times (2.5)\times (y-0)\\\\x^2 =10y\\\\y=\dfrac{1}{10}x^2[/tex]

Hence the equation of the parabola is:

[tex]y=\dfrac{1}{10}x^2[/tex]