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Parabolas

Example 1

Graph the parabola below. State which direction the parabola opens and determine its vertex, focus, directrix, and axis of symmetry.

ParabolasEx1-1

Step 1 . Identify the direction of opening, vertex, focus, directrix and the axis of symmetry. This is a parabola that opens to the left because a < 0.

Vertex: (-3, -2)

Focus: ParabolasEx1-2

Equation of directrix: ParabolasEx1-3

Axis of symmetry: ParabolasEx1-4

Step 2. Graph the conic.
ParabolasEx1-5
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