What is the axis of symmetry for the parabola defined by the equation y^2 = -12x

Practice Questions

Q1
What is the axis of symmetry for the parabola defined by the equation y^2 = -12x?
  1. x = 0
  2. y = 0
  3. y = -6
  4. x = -6

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

What is the axis of symmetry for the parabola defined by the equation y^2 = -12x?
  • Step 1: Identify the form of the equation. The given equation is y^2 = -12x.
  • Step 2: Recognize that this equation is in the form y^2 = 4px, where p is a constant.
  • Step 3: Compare the equation y^2 = -12x with y^2 = 4px. Here, -12 can be written as 4p.
  • Step 4: Solve for p by setting 4p = -12. This gives p = -3.
  • Step 5: Understand that for parabolas in the form y^2 = 4px, the axis of symmetry is the line x = 0 (the y-axis).
  • Step 6: Conclude that the axis of symmetry for the given parabola is x = 0.
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