/ blog

# Analytic Geometry

# Parabolas

Analytic geometry of a parabola:

EquationVertexAxisFocusDirectrix
Opens upx^2=4py(0,0)x=0(0,p)y=-p
Opens downx^2=-4py(0,0)x=0(0,-p)y=p
Opens righty^2=4px(0,0)y=0(p,0)x=-p
Opens lefty^2=-4px(0,0)y=0(-p,0)x=p
Opens up(x-h)^2=4p(y-k)(h,k)x=h(h,k+p)y=k-p
Opens down(x-h)^2=-4p(y-k)(h,k)x=h(h,k-p)y=k+p
Opens right(y-k)^2=4p(x-h)(h,k)y=k(h+p,k)x=h-p
Opens left(y-k)^2=-4p(x-h)(h,k)y=k(h-p,k)x=h+p

If given an equation for a parabola like x^2 - 4x - 4y = 0:

  1. Check if you have an x^2 term or y^2 term
  2. Complete the square with respect to the squared term
  3. Arrange your equation to resemble one from the chart above
  4. Deduce the elements (pass in x=0 or y=0 to find intercept points)
x^2 - 4x - 4y = 0
x^2 - 4x = 4y    // -4/2 = -2 => (-2)^2 = 4
x^2 - 4x + 4 = 4y + 4
(x-2)^2 = 4y + 4
(x-2)^2 = 4(y+1)

If given information about a parabola and asked to find the equation:

  1. Sketch the graph
  2. Plug in what information you have
  3. Solve for the missing variables (like p)
  4. Simplify the original (solve for y)

Note: I need to find a better source for this other stuff

# Polar equations

TODO

# Ellipses

TODO -- similar to parabolas

# Hyperbolas

TODO -- similar to parabolas