# 12.3 Parabolas, day 1

 Page 1 / 1
A teacher's guide to lectures on parabolas.

Once again, when you start, don’t tell them we’re doing parabolas! Tell them we’re going to create another club. This time the requirement for membership is: you must be exactly the same distance from the point (0,3) that you are from the line $y=-3$ . For instance, the point (3,3) is not part of our club—it is 3 units away from (0,3) and six units away from $y=-3$ .

Now, let them work in groups on “All the Points Equidistant from a Point and a Line” to see if they can find the shape from just that. If they need a hint, tell them there is one extremely obvious point, and two somewhat obvious points. After that they have to dink around.

When all or most groups have it, go through it on the blackboard, something like this. The extremely obvious point is the origin. The “somewhat” obvious points are (-6,3) and (6,3). Show why all those work.

Now, can any point below the x-axis work? Clearly not. Any point below the x-axis is “obviously” (meaning, after you show them for a minute) closer to the line, than to the point.

So, let’s start working up from the origin. The origin was in the club. As we move up, we are getting closer to the point, and farther away from the line. So how can we maintain equality? The only way is to move farther away from the point, by moving out. In this way, you sketch in the parabola.

Now, you introduce the terminology. We’re already old friends with the vertex of a parabola. This point up here is called the focus. This line down here is the directrix. The focus and directrix are kind of like the center of a circle, in the sense that they are central to the definition of what a parabola is, but they are not themselves part of the parabola. The vertex, on the other hand, is a part of the parabola, but is not a part of the definition.

The directrix, of course, is a horizontal line: but what if it isn’t? What is the directrix is vertical? Then we have a horizontal parabola. Of course it isn’t a function, but it’s still a shape we can graph and talk about, and we have seen them a few times before. If you have time, work through $x=4{y}^{2}–8y$ .

## Homework:

“Homework: Vertical and Horizontal Parabolas”

how do we prove the quadratic formular
hello, if you have a question about Algebra 2. I may be able to help. I am an Algebra 2 Teacher
thank you help me with how to prove the quadratic equation
Seidu
may God blessed u for that. Please I want u to help me in sets.
Opoku
what is math number
4
Trista
x-2y+3z=-3 2x-y+z=7 -x+3y-z=6
Need help solving this problem (2/7)^-2
x+2y-z=7
Sidiki
what is the coefficient of -4×
-1
Shedrak
the operation * is x * y =x + y/ 1+(x × y) show if the operation is commutative if x × y is not equal to -1
An investment account was opened with an initial deposit of $9,600 and earns 7.4% interest, compounded continuously. How much will the account be worth after 15 years? Kala Reply lim x to infinity e^1-e^-1/log(1+x) given eccentricity and a point find the equiation Moses Reply 12, 17, 22.... 25th term Alexandra Reply 12, 17, 22.... 25th term Akash College algebra is really hard? Shirleen Reply Absolutely, for me. My problems with math started in First grade...involving a nun Sister Anastasia, bad vision, talking & getting expelled from Catholic school. When it comes to math I just can't focus and all I can hear is our family silverware banging and clanging on the pink Formica table. Carole I'm 13 and I understand it great AJ I am 1 year old but I can do it! 1+1=2 proof very hard for me though. Atone Not really they are just easy concepts which can be understood if you have great basics. I am 14 I understood them easily. Vedant hi vedant can u help me with some assignments Solomon find the 15th term of the geometric sequince whose first is 18 and last term of 387 Jerwin Reply I know this work salma The given of f(x=x-2. then what is the value of this f(3) 5f(x+1) virgelyn Reply hmm well what is the answer Abhi If f(x) = x-2 then, f(3) when 5f(x+1) 5((3-2)+1) 5(1+1) 5(2) 10 Augustine how do they get the third part x = (32)5/4 kinnecy Reply make 5/4 into a mixed number, make that a decimal, and then multiply 32 by the decimal 5/4 turns out to be AJ how Sheref A soccer field is a rectangle 130 meters wide and 110 meters long. The coach asks players to run from one corner to the other corner diagonally across. What is that distance, to the nearest tenths place. Kimberly Reply Jeannette has$5 and \$10 bills in her wallet. The number of fives is three more than six times the number of tens. Let t represent the number of tens. Write an expression for the number of fives.
What is the expressiin for seven less than four times the number of nickels
How do i figure this problem out.
how do you translate this in Algebraic Expressions
why surface tension is zero at critical temperature
Shanjida
I think if critical temperature denote high temperature then a liquid stats boils that time the water stats to evaporate so some moles of h2o to up and due to high temp the bonding break they have low density so it can be a reason
s.
Need to simplify the expresin. 3/7 (x+y)-1/7 (x-1)=
. After 3 months on a diet, Lisa had lost 12% of her original weight. She lost 21 pounds. What was Lisa's original weight?
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!