580

(11-10)

Chapter 11

Nonlinear Systems and the Conic Sections

11.2 T H E P A R A B O L A
In this
section

Developing the Equation

Identifying the Vertex from

Standard Form

Symmetry and Intercepts

Graphing a Parabola

Maximum or Minimum
Value of y

The parabola is one of four different curves that can be obtained by intersecting a
cone and a plane as in Fig. 11.3. These curves, called conic sections, are the
parabola, circle, ellipse, and hyperbola. You studied parabolas in Section 3.6, but in
this section you will study parabolas in more detail. You will see how the parabola
and the other conic sections are used in applications such as satellite dishes,
telescopes, spotlights, and navigation.

Parabola

Parabola
Focus

Vertex

Circle

Ellipse

Hyperbola

FIGURE 11.3

Developing the Equation

Directrix

FIGURE 11.4

In Section 3.6 we called the graph of y  ax2  bx  c a parabola. This equation

is the standard equation of a parabola. In this section you will see that the following geometric definition describes the same curve as the equation.
Parabola

Given a line (the directrix) and a point not on the line (the focus), the set of
all points in the plane that are equidistant from the point and the line is called
a parabola.

Focus

FIGURE 11.5
y

p>0

(0, p)
(x, y)
x

(0, 0)
y = p

(x, p)

FIGURE 11.6

The vertex of the parabola is the midpoint of the line segment joining the focus
and the directrix, perpendicular to the directrix. See Fig. 11.4.
The focus of a parabola is important in applications. When parallel rays of light
travel into a parabolic reflector, they are reflected toward the focus as in Fig. 11.5.
This property is used in telescopes to see the light from distant stars. If the light
source is at the focus, as in a searchlight, the light is reflected off the parabola and
projected outward in a narrow beam. This reflecting property is also used in camera
lenses, satellite dishes, and eavesdropping devices.
To develop an equation for a parabola, given the focus and directrix, choose the
point (0, p), where p 0 as the focus and the line y  p as the directrix, as
shown in Fig. 11.6. The vertex of this parabola is (0, 0). For an arbitrary point (x, y)
on the parabola the distance to the directrix is the distance from (x, y) to (x, p).

11.2

(11-11)

The Parabola

581

The distance to the focus is the distance between (x, y) and (0, p). We use the fact
that these distances are equal to write the equation of the parabola:

(x

0
)2
(yp
)2  (x

x
)2
(y(p))
2
To simplify the equation, first remove the parentheses inside the radicals:


x2
y22py
p2  
y2
2py
p2
x2  y2  2py  p2  y2  2py  p2
x  4py
1
y   x2
4p
y  ax2
2

y
y = p

(x, p)
(0, 0)
(x, y)
(0, p)

p<0

FIGURE 11.7

Square each side.

Subtract y2 and p2 from each side.

1
4p

Let a  .

So a curve that satisfies the geometric definition of parabola has an equation of

the form y  ax2  bx  c.
If the focus is at (0, p) with p
0 and the directrix is y  p, then the
parabola opens downward as shown in Fig. 11.7. Deriving the equation from the
1
distances (as was just done for p 0) again yields y  4p x2, which is of the form
y  ax 2 for a  1. Note that a and p have the same sign because a  41p.
4p

If a parabola has vertex (0, 0) and opens up or down, then its equation is of the
form y  ax2. In general, if (h, k) is the vertex, (h, k  p) is the focus, and
y  k  p is the directrix, then we can develop the equation y  a(x  h)2  k
for the parabola just as we developed the equation y  ax2. Graphs of
y  a(x  h)2  k are shown in Fig. 11.8.
a

a>0

1
4p

a<0
Directrix: y = k p

(h, k + p)

(h, k)
(h, k)

y = a(x h)2 + k

Directrix: y = k p

y = a(x h)2 + k
(h, k + p)

FIGURE 11.8
Parabolas in the Form y  a(x  h)2  k

The graph of the equation y  a(x  h)2  k (a  0) is a parabola with

1
vertex (h, k), focus (h, k  p), and directrix y  k  p, where a  
4p . If
a 0, the parabola opens upward; if a
0, the parabola opens downward.
Note that the locations of the focus and directrix determine the value of a and
the shape and opening of the parabola.
For a parabola that opens upward, p 0, and the focus
(h, k  p) is above the vertex (h, k). For a parabola that opens downward, p
0,
and the focus (h, k  p) is below the vertex (h, k). In either case the distance from
the vertex to the focus and the vertex to the directrix is p.
CAUTION

582

(11-12)

Chapter 11

E X A M P L E

Finding the vertex, focus, and directrix, given an equation

Find the vertex, focus, and directrix for the parabola y  x 2.

y
1

y = x2

(0, 14 (
1

1
y=
4

Solution
Compare y  x 2 to the general formula y  a(x  h)2  k. We see that h  0,
k  0, and a  1. So the vertex is (0, 0). Because a  1, we can use a  1 to
4p
get
1
1  ,
4p
or p  1. Use (h, k  p) to get the focus 0, 1 . Use the equation y  k  p to get
4
4

y   1 as the equation of the directrix. See Fig. 11.9.

FIGURE 11.9

E X A M P L E

Finding an equation, given a focus and directrix

Find the equation of the parabola with focus (1, 4) and directrix y  3.

Solution
Because the vertex is halfway between the focus and directrix, the vertex is
to the focus is 1. Because the
1, 72 . See Fig. 11.10. The distance from the vertex
2
focus is above the vertex, p is positive. So p  1, and a  1  1. The equation is
4p
2
2

(1, 72 (

Nonlinear Systems and the Conic Sections

(1, 4)

1
7
y   (x  (1))2  .
2
2

y=3

The equation of a parabola can be written in two different forms. To change the
form y  a(x  h)2  k to the form y  ax 2  bx  c, we square the binomial
and combine like terms, as in Example 2. To change from y  ax 2  bx  c to
y  a(x  h)2  k, we complete the square.

FIGURE 11.10

E X A M P L E

Simplify to get the equation y  1 x 2  x  4.

Converting y  ax2  bx  c to y  a(x  h)2  k

Write y  2x2  4x  5 in the form y  a(x  h)2  k and identify the vertex,
focus, and directrix of the parabola.

Solution
Use completing the square to rewrite the equation:
y  2(x 2  2x)  5
y  2(x 2  2x  1  1)  5

Complete the square.

y  2(x  2x  1)  2  5

Move 2(1) outside the parentheses.

y  2(x  1)  3
2

The vertex is (1, 3). Because a 

1
,
4p

we have
1
  2,
4p

11.2

(11-13)

The Parabola

583

and p  1. Because the parabola opens upward, the focus is 1 unit above the vertex
8
8
at 1, 3 1 , or 1, 25 , and the directrix is the horizontal line 1 unit below the vertex,

calculator

y

close-up
The graphs of

2 7
8

or y 

8
23
.
8

Be careful when you complete a square within parentheses as

CAUTION
in Example 3. For another example, consider the equivalent equations

y1  2x2  4x  5
and

y  3(x2  4x),

y2  2(x  1)2  3
appear to be identical. This
supports the conclusion that
the equations are equivalent.

y  3(x2  4x  4  4),
and
y  3(x  2)2  12.

10

Identifying the Vertex from Standard Form

5

5
10

If the equation of a parabola is in the form y  a(x  h)2  k, then its vertex is
(h, k). If we complete the square on the standard equation of the parabola
y  ax2  bx  c to get it into the form y  a(x  h)2  k, we will find the vertex
in terms of a, b, and c:
y  ax2  bx  c
bx
y  a x2    c
a
b2
b2
b
x
y  a x2    2  2  c
4a
4a
a





b
b
bx
y  a x        c
4a
4a
a
b
b
bx
c  4a
y  a x        
4a
4a
a
4a
b
4ac  b
y  a x    
2a
4a
2

Factor a out of the first two terms.

1 b
b
    
2 a 2a

and

2a
b

b2
 2
4a

b2
Move a 2 outside the parentheses.
4a

Build up the denominator.

Simplify.

The equation is now in the form y  a(x  h)2  k, and the vertex is
b 4ac  b2
,  .
2a
4a

We summarize these results as follows.

Parabolas in the Form y  ax2  bx  c

The graph of y  ax2  bx  c (for a  0) is a parabola opening upward if

b
a 0 and downward if a
0. The x-coordinate of the vertex is x  
.
2a

b
You can use 4ac
 to get the y-coordinate of the vertex, but it is usually
2

4a

b
easier to get it from y  ax2  bx  c for x  
. We use the second approach in
2a
Example 4.

584

(11-14)

Chapter 11

E X A M P L E

Nonlinear Systems and the Conic Sections

Finding the features of a parabola from standard form

Find the vertex, focus, and directrix of the parabola y  3x 2  9x  5, and
determine whether the parabola opens upward or downward.

Solution
The x-coordinate of the vertex is
b
9
9 3
x        .
2a
2(3) 6 2

calculator
close-up

To find the y-coordinate of the vertex, let x  32 in y  3x 2  9x  5:

A calculator graph can be

used to check the vertex and
opening of a parabola.

3
y  3 
2
The vertex is

3
27 27
7
 9   5      5  
2
4
2
4

2, 4 . Because a  3, the parabola opens downward. To find the
3 7

focus, use 3  41p to get p  12. The focus is

5

tex
the

10

1

12

of a unit below the ver-

or  . The directrix is the horizontal line 12 of a unit above

at 3, 7  1

2 4
12
vertex, y  7
4

3 5
, 
2 3

 12 or y 

11
.
6

Symmetry and Intercepts

y

b
x =
2a

x
Axis of
symmetry

FIGURE 11.11

The graph of y  x 2 shown in Fig. 11.9 is said to be symmetric about the y-axis
because the two halves of the parabola would coincide if the paper were folded
on the y-axis. In general, the vertical line through the vertex is called the axis
of symmetry for the parabola. Because the x-coordinate of the vertex for
b
b
y  ax 2  bx  c is 
, the axis of symmetry is x  . See Fig. 11.11.
2a
2a
The parabola y  ax2  bx  c has exactly one y-intercept. If x  0 in the
equation, then y  a(0)2  b(0)  c  c. So the y-intercept is (0, c).
To find the x-intercepts, we let y  0 in the equation y  ax 2  bx  c and
solve the quadratic equation ax 2  bx  c  0. The number of x-intercepts may
be 0, 1, or 2, depending on the number of solutions to the quadratic equation. See
Fig. 11.12.
y

4
3
2
1

3
2
1

3
2
1

1
1
2

3
1

No x - intercepts

1
2
3

One x - intercept

3
Two x- intercepts

FIGURE 11.12

Graphing a Parabola
When graphing a parabola, we can use the features that we have discussed to improve accuracy and understanding. These features are summarized in the following
box as a strategy for graphing parabolas.

11.2

(11-15)

The Parabola

585

Graphing the Parabola y  ax2  bx  c

To graph the parabola y  ax2  bx  c, use the following facts:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The parabola opens upward if a 0 and opens downward if a

0.
b
The x-coordinate of the vertex is 
.
2a
b
The graph is symmetric about the vertical line x  2a.
The y-intercept is (0, c).
The x-intercepts are found by solving ax 2  bx  c  0.

CAUTION
The focus and directrix are important features of a parabola,
but they are not part of the curve itself. So we do not usually find the focus and
directrix when graphing a parabola from an equation.

E X A M P L E

helpful

Graphing a parabola
Determine whether the parabola y  x 2  x  6 opens upward or downward,
and find the vertex, axis of symmetry, x-intercepts, and y-intercept. Find several
additional points on the parabola, and sketch the graph.

hint

When drawing a parabola

such as the one in Fig. 11.13 by
hand, use your hand like a
compass and draw it in two
steps. If you are right-handed,
sketch the left half of the
parabola first. Then turn your
paper upside down to sketch
the right half.

Solution
Because a  1, this parabola opens downward. The x-coordinate of the vertex
is
b (1)
1
x      .
2a
2(1)
2
1

If x   2, then

  2  6  4  2  6  4.

1
y   
2
y

So the vertex is  1,

2

y = x2 x + 6

2 1
1

25

. The axis of symmetry is the vertical line x   2. To

25

4

find the x-intercepts, let y  0 in the original equation:

5
4
3
2
1
4

2
3
4

FIGURE 11.13

x30
x  3

x2  x  6  0
x2  x  6  0
(x  3)(x  2)  0
or
x20
or
x2

The x-intercepts are (3, 0) and (2, 0). The y-intercept is (0, 6). Using all of this
information and the additional points (1, 4), (2, 4), and (1, 6), we get the graph

shown in Fig. 11.13.

Maximum or Minimum Value of y

On a parabola that opens upward, the minimum value that y attains is the
y-coordinate of the vertex. On a parabola that opens downward, the maximum value
of y is again the y-coordinate of the vertex. We use the fact that the x-coordinate
b
of the vertex is 
 to obtain the maximum or minimum value of y.
2a

586

(11-16)

Chapter 11

E X A M P L E

Nonlinear Systems and the Conic Sections

Maximizing a product
Find two numbers that have the maximum product, subject to the condition that
their sum is 1.

Solution
Because their sum is 1, we can let x represent one number and 1  x represent the
other. If y represents their product, we can write the equation

calculator

y  x(1  x)

close-up

or

The graph of y = x(1  x) supports the conclusion that the

maximum value of y occurs
when x = 12.
2

y  x2  x.
This equation is the equation of a parabola that opens downward. Its highest point,
which is the maximum value of y, occurs when
b
x  
2a
1
 
2(1)
1
 .
2
If x  1, then 1  x  1. The two numbers are 1 and 1. Among the numbers
2
2
2
2
with a sum of 1, they give the maximum product. So no two numbers with a
sum of 1 can have a product larger than 1.

Be sure to answer the question that is asked in a maximumCAUTION

minimum problem. If y  ax 2  bx  c, then the maximum (or minimum) value
of y is the y-coordinate of the vertex. The value of x that causes y to reach its
maximum (or minimum) value is the x-coordinate of the vertex.

E X A M P L E

Maximizing revenue
A manufacturer of in-line skates uses the formula R  360x  2x2 to predict the
weekly revenue in dollars that will be produced when the skates are priced at x dollars per pair. Find the price that will produce the maximum revenue, and find the
maximum possible revenue.

Solution
The graph of R  360x  2x 2 is a parabola that opens downward as shown in
Fig. 11.14 on the next page. To find the vertex of the parabola, use a  2 and
b
 :
b  360 in x  
2a
360
x    90
2(2)
Now use x  90 in R  360x  2x2 to find R:
R  360(90)  2  902  16,200
So if the skates are priced at $90 per pair, then the manufacturer will receive the
maximum weekly revenue $16,200.

11.2

The Parabola

(11-17)

587

Revenue (in thousands of dollars)

R
20

15

10

50

100
150
Price (in dollars)

200

FIGURE 11.14

WARM-UPS

True or false? Explain your answer.

1. There is a parabola with focus (2, 3), directrix y  1, and vertex (0, 0).
False
1
2. The focus for the parabola y  4 x2  1 is (0, 2). True
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

11. 2

The graph of y  3  5(x  4)2 is a parabola with vertex (4, 3). True
The graph of y  6x  3x  2 is a parabola. False
The graph of y  2x  x 2  9 is a parabola opening upward. False
For y  x 2 the vertex and y-intercept are the same point. True
A parabola with vertex (2, 3) and focus (2, 4) has no x-intercepts. True
The parabola y  3x 2  9x has no y-intercept. False
If (1, 5) satisfies y  a(x  2)2  k, then so does (3, 5). True
The parabola y  (x  5)2 has only one x-intercept. True

EXERCISES

Reading and Writing After reading this section, write out the
answers to these questions. Use complete sentences.
1. What is the definition of a parabola given in this section?
A parabola is the set of all points in a plane that are equidistant from a given line and a fixed point not on the line.
2. What is the location of the vertex?
The vertex is the midpoint of the line segment joining the
focus and directrix, perpendicular to the directrix.
3. What are the two forms of the equation of a parabola?
A parabola can be written in the forms y  ax2  bx  c
or y  a(x  h)2  k.
4. What is the distance from the focus to the vertex in any
parabola of the form y  ax 2  bx  c?
The distance from the focus to the directrix is  2p , where
a  1(4p).

5. How do we convert an equation of the form

y  ax2  bx  c into the form y  a(x  h)2  k?
We use completing the square to convert y  ax2  bx  c
into y  a(x  h)2  k.
6. How do we convert an equation of the form
y  a(x  h)2  k into the form y  ax2  bx  c?
To convert y  a(x  h)2  k into the form
y  ax2  bx  c, square the binomial, multiply by a,
then add like terms.
Find the vertex, focus, and directrix for each parabola. See
Example 1.
7. y  2x2

 8


Vertex (0, 0), focus 0, 1 , directrix y  1.

8

1
8. y   x2 Vertex (0, 0), focus 0, 1 , directrix y  1.
2
2
2

588

(11-18)

1
9. y   x2
4

Chapter 11

Nonlinear Systems and the Conic Sections

Vertex (0, 0), focus (0, 1), directrix y  1

1
10. y   x2
12

Vertex (0, 0), focus (0, 3), directrix y  3

1
11. y  (x  3)2  2
2
Vertex (3, 2), focus (3, 2.5), directrix y  1.5
1
12. y  (x  2)2  5
4
Vertex (2, 5), focus (2, 4), directrix y  6
13. y  (x  1)2  6
Vertex (1, 6), focus (1, 5.75), directrix y  6.25
14. y  3(x  4)2  1

Vertex (4, 1), focus 4, 11 , directrix y  13

12

12

Find the equation of the parabola with the given focus and
directrix. See Example 2.
1
15. Focus (0, 2), directrix y  2 y   x2
8
1
16. Focus (0, 3), directrix y  3 y   x2
12


1
1
18. Focus 0,  , directrix y  
8
8

1
1
1
17. Focus 0,  , directrix y   y   x2
2
2
2
y  2x2

1
y   x2  3x  6
2
1
25
20. Focus (4, 5), directrix y  4 y   x2  4x  
2
2
1 2 1
1
21. Focus (1, 2), directrix y  2 y  x   x  
8
4
8
1 2 1
3
22. Focus (2, 3), directrix y  1 y  x   x  
8
2
2
19. Focus (3, 2), directrix y  1

23. Focus (3, 1.25), directrix y  0.75 y  x 2  6x  10

17
15
24. Focus 5,  , directrix y   y  2x 2  20x  52
8
8

Write each equation in the form y  a(x  h)  k. Identify the

vertex, focus, and directrix of each parabola. See Example 3.
25. y  x 2  6x  1
y  (x  3)2  8, vertex (3, 8), focus (3, 7.75),
directrix y  8.25
26. y  x 2  4x  7
y  (x  2)2  11, vertex (2, 11), focus
(2, 10.75), directrix y  11.25
27. y  2x 2  12x  5
y  2(x  3)2  13, vertex (3, 13), focus
(3, 12.875), directrix y  13.125
28. y  3x 2  6x  7
y  3(x  1)2  10, vertex (1, 10), focus
2

1, 9 11 , directrix y  10 1

12

12

29. y  2x 2  16x  1

y  2(x  4)2  33, vertex (4, 33), focus 4, 327 ,

directrix y  33 1

30. y  3x 2  6x  7
y  3(x  1)2  10, vertex (1, 10), focus 1, 9 11 ,

directrix y  10 1

12

12

31. y  5x 2  40x
y  5(x  4)2  80, vertex (4, 80), focus

4, 79 20 , directrix y  80 20

1

19

32. y  2x 2  10x

y  2 x  5

25
5 25
 2, vertex 2, 2 , focus

5 99
101
,  , directrix y  
2 8
8

Find the vertex, focus, and directrix of each parabola (without

completing the square), and determine whether the parabola
opens upward or downward. See Example 4.
33. y  x 2  4x  1

Vertex (2, 3), focus 2, 2 3 , directrix y  3 1,

4
4
upward
34. y  x2  6x  7

Vertex (3, 16), focus 3, 15 3 , directrix y  16 1,

4
4
upward
35. y  x 2  2x  3

Vertex (1, 2), focus 1, 2 1 , directrix y  1,

4
4
downward
36. y  x 2  4x  9

Vertex (2, 13), focus 2, 12 3 , directrix y  13 1,

4
4
downward
37. y  3x 2  6x  1

Vertex (1, 2), focus 1, 1 11 , directrix y  2 1,

12
12
upward
38. y  2x2  4x  3

Vertex (1, 5), focus 1, 4 7 , directrix y  5 1,

8
8
upward
39. y  x 2  3x  2

Vertex 3, 17 , focus  3, 4 , directrix y  9,

2 4

downward
40. y  x 2  3x  1

2 4

2

Vertex 3, 5 , focus 3, 1 , directrix y  3,

2

downward
41. y  3x 2  5

Vertex (0, 5), focus 0, 5 1 , directrix y  4 11, upward

42. y  2x  6

12

12

Vertex (0, 6), focus 0, 6 1 , directrix y  5 7,

8
8
downward

11.2

Find the vertex, axis of symmetry, x-intercepts, and y-intercept

for each parabola. Find several additional points on the
parabola, and then sketch its graph. See Example 5.
43. y  x 2  3x  2

44. y  x 2  6x  8
Vertex (3, 1), axis of
Vertex 3,  1 axis of
2
4
symmetry x  3,
intercepts (0, 8), (4, 0),
symmetry x  3, intercepts
2
(2, 0)
(0, 2), (1, 0), (2, 0)

The Parabola

(11-19)

589

49. y  x 2  2x  1
Vertex (1, 0), axis of
symmetry x  1,
intercepts (0, 1), (1, 0)

50. y  x 2  6x  9
Vertex (3, 0), axis of
symmetry x  3,
intercepts (0, 9), (3, 0)

51. y  4x 2  4x  1

52. y  4x 2  12x  9

2

45. y  x  2x  8
Vertex (1, 9), axis of
symmetry x  1,
intercepts (0, 8), (4, 0),
(2, 0)
2

46. y  x  2x  15
Vertex (1, 16), axis of
symmetry x  1,
intercepts (0, 15),
(5, 0), (3, 0)
2

Vertex 3, 0 , axis of

symmetry x  1,
2

symmetry x  3,
2

intercepts (0, 1), 1, 0

2

53. y  x 2  5x

Vertex is 5, 25 , axis of

2
4
47. y  (x  2)2  1
Vertex (2, 1), axis of
symmetry x  2,
intercept (0, 5)

48. y  2(x  1)2  3

Vertex (1, 3), axis of
symmetry x  1,
intercepts (0, 1),

1  2, 0 ,
6
1  2, 0

2

Vertex 1, 0 , axis of

symmetry x  5,
2
intercepts (0, 0), (5, 0)

6

54. y  3x 2  9x

2

Vertex 3, 27 , axis of

4

symmetry x  3,
2

intercepts (0, 0), (3, 0)

intercepts 3, 0 , (0, 9)

2

590

(11-20)

Chapter 11

55. y  3x 2  5
Vertex (0, 5), axis of
symmetry x  0,
intercept (0, 5)

Nonlinear Systems and the Conic Sections

56. y  2x 2  3
Vertex (0, 3), axis of
symmetry x  0,
intercepts (0, 3),
6
6
, 0 , , 0
2
2

58. y  x 2  4x  1
Vertex (2, 3), axis of
symmetry x  2, intercepts (0, 1), (2  3, 0),
(2  3, 0)

Revenue from concert tickets

(in thousands of dollars)

57. y  x 2  2x  1
Vertex (1, 2), axis of
symmetry x  1,
intercepts (0, 1),
(1  2, 0), (1  2
, 0)

62. Maximum product. What is the maximum product that

can be obtained by two numbers that a have a sum of 6?
9
63. Maximum area. A gardener plans to enclose a rectangular
area with 160 feet (ft) of fencing. What dimensions for the
length and width would maximize the area?
40 ft by 40 ft
64. Maximum area. Another gardener has a 4-foot-wide gate
for her rectangular garden in place. If she has 100 ft of fencing in addition to the gate, then what dimensions for the
length and width would maximize the area?
26 ft by 26 ft
65. Minimum hypotenuse. If the total length of the legs of a
right triangle is 6 ft, then what lengths for the legs would
minimize the square of the hypotenuse?
3 ft each
66. Maximum revenue. A concert promoter uses the formula
R  7500p  250p2 to calculate the total revenue for a
concert if the ticket price is p dollars each. What ticket
price will maximize the revenue? See the accompanying
figure.
$15

60. y  3(x  1)2  4

Vertex (1, 4), axis of
symmetry x  1,
intercepts (0, 1),
23
1  , 0 ,
3



23
1  3, 0

Solve each problem. See Examples 6 and 7.

61. Maximum product. Find two numbers that have the maximum possible product among numbers that have a sum
of 8.
4 and 4

5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Price of tickets (in dollars)

FIGURE FOR EXERCISE 66

67. Maximum height. If a punter kicks a football straight up at
a velocity of 128 feet per second (ft/sec) from a height of
6 ft, then the footballs distance above the earth after t seconds is given by the formula s  16t 2  128t  6. What
is the maximum height reached by the ball? How long does
the ball take to reach its maximum height? Could the punter

Height of football (ft)

59. y  (x  5)2
Vertex (5, 0), axis of
symmetry x  5,
intercepts (0, 25), (5, 0)

R
70
60
50
40
30
20
10

s
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0

5
10
Time (sec)

FIGURE FOR EXERCISE 67

11.2

hit the roof of the New Orleans Superdome, which is 273 ft

above the playing field? 262 ft, 4 sec, no
68. Maximum height. If a baseball is hit straight upward at
150 ft/sec from a height of 5 ft, then its distance above the
earth after t seconds is given by the formula s  16t 2 
150t  5. What is the maximum height attained by the
ball? How long does the ball take to reach its maximum
height? 356.5625 ft, 4.6875 sec
v  150 ft/sec

(11-21)

The Parabola

591

72. Arecibo Observatory. The largest radio telescope in the

world uses a 1,000-ft parabolic dish, suspended in a valley
in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The antenna hangs above the vertex of the dish on cables stretching from two towers. The
accompanying figure shows a cross section of the parabolic
dish and the towers. Assuming the vertex is at (0, 0), find
the equation for the parabola. Find the distance from the
vertex to the antenna located at the focus.
y  0.0008x 2, 312.5 ft

Antenna
at focus

5 ft

200 ft

200 ft

FIGURE FOR EXERCISE 68

69. Minimum cost. It costs Acme Manufacturing C dollars per
hour to operate its golf ball division. An analyst has determined that C is related to the number of golf balls produced
per hour, x, by the equation C  0.009x2  1.8x  100.
What number of balls per hour should Acme produce to minimize the cost per hour of manufacturing these golf balls?
100
70. Maximum profit. A chain store manager has been told by
the main office that daily profit, P, is related to the number
of clerks working that day, x, according to the equation
P  25x 2  300x. What number of clerks will maximize
the profit, and what is the maximum possible profit?
6 clerks, $900
71. Worlds largest telescope. The largest reflecting telescope
in the world is the 6-meter (m) reflector on Mount Pastukhov in Russia. The accompanying figure shows a cross
section of a parabolic mirror 6 m in diameter with the vertex at the origin and the focus at (0, 15). Find the equation
of the parabola.
1
y   x2
60
y
(0, 15)

x
6m

FIGURE FOR EXERCISE 71

x
1000 ft

FIGURE FOR EXERCISE 72

Graph both equations of each system on the same coordinate axes. Use elimination of variables to find all points of
intersection.
73. y  x 2  3
74. y  x 2  3
y  x2  1
y  x 2  5
(1, 2), (1, 2)
(2, 1), (2, 1)

75. y  x2  2
y  2x  3
(1, 1)

76. y  x 2  x  6
y  7x  15
(3, 6)

592

(11-22)

Chapter 11

77. y  x 2  3x  4
y  x 2  2x  8



3 11
,  , (4, 0)
2 4

Nonlinear Systems and the Conic Sections

78. y  x 2  2x  8
y  x 2  x  12



5 13
,  , (4, 0)
2 4

83.

2
1

1
y  x 2  2x
2

(2, 2)
(0, 0)
1 2 3

(4, 0)
5
x

84.

1
1
1
2
3

79. y  x 2  3x  4
y  2x  2

80. y  x 2  5x  6
y  x  11

(3, 4), (2, 6)

(5, 6), (1, 12)

3
y  x 2  3x  3
4

y
(2, 0)
4 5
2

(4, 3)
(0, 3)

GET TING MORE INVOLVED

85. Exploration. Consider the parabola with focus ( p, 0) and
directrix x  p for p 0. Let (x, y) be an arbitrary point
on the parabola. Write an equation expressing the fact that
the distance from (x, y) to the focus is equal to the distance
from (x, y) to the directrix. Rewrite the equation in the form
x  ay2, where a  1.
4p

Write an equation in the form y  ax 2  bx  c for each given

parabola.
81.

y  x 2  4

y
(0, 4)
3
2
1

(2, 0)
3 1
1
2

82.

1
y  x 2
3

y
5
4
(3, 3)
3
2
1

G R A P H I N G C ALC U L ATO R
EXERCISES

(2, 0)
3
x

(3, 3)

3 2 1 (0, 0)
1

86. Exploration. In general, the graph of x  a(y  h)2  k for

a  0 is a parabola opening left or right with vertex at (k, h).
a) For which values of a does the parabola open to the
right, and for which values of a does it open to the left?
b) What is the equation of its axis of symmetry?
c) Sketch the graphs x  2(y  3)2  1 and
x  (y  1)2  2.
a) Right for a 0 and left for a
0 b) y  h

87. Graph y  x2 using

the
viewing
window
with
1  x  1 and 0  y  1. Next graph y  2x2  1
using the viewing window 2  x  2 and 1  y  7.
Explain what you see.
The graphs have identical shapes.
88. Graph y  x 2 and y  6x  9 in the viewing window
5  x  5 and 5  y  20. Does the line appear to be
tangent to the parabola? Solve the system y  x 2 and
y  6x  9 to find all points of intersection for the
parabola and the line.
Intersection (3, 9)