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Ch. 7 - Conic Sections
Chapter 8, Problem 11

In Exercises 5–16, find the focus and directrix of the parabola with the given equation. Then graph the parabola. x^2 = - 16y

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Parabola Definition

A parabola is a symmetric curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane parallel to its side. In algebra, it can be represented by a quadratic equation in the form y = ax^2 + bx + c or x = ay^2 + by + c. The orientation of the parabola (opening upwards, downwards, left, or right) depends on the coefficients of the equation.
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Focus and Directrix

The focus of a parabola is a fixed point located inside the curve, while the directrix is a line outside the curve. The defining property of a parabola is that any point on the curve is equidistant from the focus and the directrix. For the equation x^2 = -16y, the focus and directrix can be determined using the standard form of a parabola.
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Graphing Parabolas

Graphing a parabola involves plotting its vertex, focus, and directrix, as well as determining its axis of symmetry. The vertex is the midpoint between the focus and directrix. For the equation x^2 = -16y, the graph will open downward, and understanding the relationship between the coefficients and the shape of the graph is essential for accurate representation.
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