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View Full Version : Find the vertex focus latus rectum and directrix


famela
Nov 11, 2010, 09:03 AM
find the vertex focus latus rectum and directrix
y^2=20x
(y=0)^2=20(x-0)

galactus
Nov 11, 2010, 05:24 PM
This parabola has the form

y^{2}=4px

Where p is the distance from the vertex to the focus and from the vertex to the directrix.

Since 4p=20, p=5

The vertex is at the origin and the parabola opens right. So, where does that place the focus?
The directrix?

The latus rectum is a line segment that passes through the focus, is parallel to the directrix and has its endpoints on the parabola. It's length is |4p|.