College Algebra & Trigonometry, 2018a

5.2. THE EQUATION OF THE PARABOLA 271
Given the following information determine an equation for the parabola described.
Focus at (3, 2) Vertex at (1, 2)
First draw a little sketch of the problem:
3
2
1
Vertex (1, 2)
Focus (3, 2)
−1 1 2 3 4 5
−1
Since the focus always falls within the interior of the parabola’s curve, this parabola
is facing to the right. Its directrix is the line x = −1.
4
3
Vertex (1, 2) Focus (3, 2)
2
1
−1 1 2 3 4 5
The equation for this parabola would be:
(y − 2) 2 =8(x − 1)