Parabolas
This page focuses on the properties and equations of parabolas.
Definition and Equation
A parabola is defined as the locus of points equidistant from a fixed point (focus) and a fixed line (directrix).
The general equation of a parabola with vertex at (xᵥ, yᵥ) is given as:
Formula: y - yᵥ = a² + b + c
For a parabola with vertex at the origin and axis along the y-axis, the equation simplifies to:
Formula: y = ax²
Key Elements
The page discusses important elements of a parabola:
- Vertex
- Focus
- Directrix
- Axis of symmetry
- Latus rectum
Highlight: The distance from the vertex to the focus is equal to the distance from the vertex to the directrix.
Tangent Line
The slope of the tangent line to a parabola at a point (x₀, y₀) is given by:
Formula: m = 2ax₀ + b (for a parabola with axis parallel to y-axis)
Example: For a parabola y = ax² + bx + c, the tangent line at (x₀, y₀) has the equation: y - y₀ = 2ax₀ + b$$x - x₀
The page also mentions the formula direttrice parabola (directrix formula) and the asse di simmetria parabola (axis of symmetry).
































