Parabola
Since e = 1 , for a parabola, we note that the parabola is
the locus of points in a plane that are equidistant from both the directrix and
the focus.
Let S be the focus and l be the directrix.
Draw SZ perpendicular to the line l .
Let us assume SZ produced as x -axis and the perpendicular bisector
of SZ produced as y - axis. The intersection of this
perpendicular bisector with SZ be the origin O .
Let SZ = 2a . Then S is (a, 0) and
the equation of the directrix is x + a = 0 .
Let P(x, y) be the moving point in the
locus that yield a parabola. Draw PM perpendicular to the directrix. By definition, e = SP/PM = 1. So, SP2
= PM2 .
Then, (x - a)2 + y2 =
(x + a)2. On simplifying, we get y2 = 4ax which is the equation
of the parabola in the
standard form.
The other standard forms of parabola are y2 = -4ax, x2 = 4ay , and x2 = -4ay .
·
The line perpendicular to the directrix and passing through the
focus is known as the Axis of
the parabola.
·
The intersection point of the axis with the curve is called vertex of the parabola
·
Any chord of the parabola, through its focus is called focal chord of the parabola
·
The length of the focal chord perpendicular to the axis is
called latus
rectum of
the parabola
Find the length of Latus rectum of the parabola y2
= 4ax .
Equation of the parabola is y2 = 4ax.
Latus rectum LL¢ passes through the focus (a, 0) . Refer (Fig.5.18)
Hence the point L is (a, y1) .
Therefore y12
= 4a2.
Hence y1 = ± 2a .
The end points of latus rectum are (a, 2a) and (a,
-2a) .
Therefore length of the latus rectum LL¢ = 4a .
Note
The standard form of the parabola y2 = 4ax has
for its vertex (0, 0) , axis as x -axis, focus as (a, 0) . The parabola y2
= 4ax lies completely on the non-negative side of the x-axis.
Replacing y by –y in y2
= 4ax, the equation remains the same. so the parabola y2
= 4ax is symmetric about x-axis; that is, x-axis is the axis and symmetry of y2
= 4ax
When the vertex is (h, k) and the axis of symmetry
is parallel to x -axis, the equation of the parabola is either ( y - k )2
= 4a(x - h) or ( y - k )2 = - 4a(x
- h) (Fig. 5.19, 5.20).
When the vertex is (h, k) and the axis of symmetry
is parallel to y -axis, the equation of the parabola is either (x - h)2
= 4a( y - k ) or (x - h)2 = - 4a(
y - k ) (Fig. 5.21, 5.22).
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