GraphicMaths

Visualising maths

Parabolas - effect of parameter ‘a’

This section looks at the effect of changing the parameter $a$ in the Cartesian equation of the parabola $y^2 = 4 a x$. Changing the value of $a$ moves the position of the focus and the directrix, which in turn changes the curve. The smaller the value of $a$, the closer the focus and directrix are to the origin. Use the buttons to set the value of $a$ to different values, and see the effect on the curve. Read more →

Parabolas

We have previously seen how a parabola is defined in terms of parametric equations or alternatively in Cartesian form. An alternative way to define a parabola is as a locus of points. Focus and directrix The locus defining a parabola depends on a focus and a directrix. The focus is a point. For a standard parabola, the focus is located on the x axis a distance $a$ from the origin, that is at the point (a, 0). Read more →

Cartesian equation of a parabola

We can convert the parametric equation of a parabola into a Cartesian equation (one involving only $x$ and $y$ but not $t$). Here are the parametric equations: \begin{align} x = a t^2\\ y = 2 a t \end{align} We can eliminate $t$ from these equations by first finding $t$ as a function of $y$: \begin{align} y = 2 a t\\ t = \frac{y}{2 a} \end{align} Read more →

Parabolas

A parabola is a curve with the parametric equations: \begin{align} x = a t^2\\ y = 2 a t \end{align} Where $a$ is a positive constant, and $t$ is the independent variable. We can plot this curve by calculating the values of $x$ and $y$ for various values of $t$, and drawing a smooth curve through them. Curve for a = 1 Assuming $a = 1$, the parametric equations simplify to: Read more →