Parabolas and Conic Sections 2
A series of free, online video lessons with examples and solutions to help Algebra
students learn about parabola conic sections.
How to sketch a parabola?
Parabolas of the form y = a(x - h)2 + k
have a vertex at (h, k)
and opens upwards if a > 0
and opens downwards if a < 0
How to find the directrix and focus of a parabola?
For x2 = 4py, y = -p is the directrix
For y2 = 4py, x = -p is the directrix
Conic Sections: Parabolas, Part 1
A quick way to roughly sketch a parabola. Nothing about directrix and focus in this video (look in part 2). Find the vertex, x and y intercepts and do a quick graph.
Conic Sections: Parabolas, Part 2 (Directrix and Focus)
How to go about finding the directrix and the focus for a parabola
Conic Sections: Parabolas, Part 3 (Focus and Directrix)
A slightly more involved example of finding the focus and directrix for a parabola.
Conic Sections: Parabolas, Part 4 (Focus and Directrix)
Find the equation for a parabola given the vertex and given the focus and/or directrix.
Conic Sections: Parabolas, Part 5 (Focus and Directrix)
Find the equation for a parabola given the vertex and given the focus and/or directrix.
You can use the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice Algebra or other math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.
Parabolas of the form y = a(x - h)2 + k
have a vertex at (h, k)
and opens upwards if a > 0
and opens downwards if a < 0
How to find the directrix and focus of a parabola?
For x2 = 4py, y = -p is the directrix
For y2 = 4py, x = -p is the directrix
Conic Sections: Parabolas, Part 1
A quick way to roughly sketch a parabola. Nothing about directrix and focus in this video (look in part 2). Find the vertex, x and y intercepts and do a quick graph.
How to go about finding the directrix and the focus for a parabola
A slightly more involved example of finding the focus and directrix for a parabola.
Find the equation for a parabola given the vertex and given the focus and/or directrix.
Conic Sections: Parabolas, Part 5 (Focus and Directrix)
Find the equation for a parabola given the vertex and given the focus and/or directrix.
Rotate to landscape screen format on a mobile phone or small tablet to use the Mathway widget, a free math problem solver that answers your questions with step-by-step explanations.
You can use the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice Algebra or other math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.
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