If a parabola opens to the left, which of the following is its standard form?

Practice Questions

Q1
If a parabola opens to the left, which of the following is its standard form?
  1. y^2 = -4px
  2. x^2 = -4py
  3. y^2 = 4px
  4. x^2 = 4py

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

If a parabola opens to the left, which of the following is its standard form?
  • Step 1: Understand that a parabola can open in different directions: up, down, left, or right.
  • Step 2: Know that the standard form of a parabola that opens to the left is different from one that opens to the right.
  • Step 3: The general form for a parabola that opens to the left is y^2 = -4px, where 'p' is a positive number that determines how wide or narrow the parabola is.
  • Step 4: Recognize that in this equation, 'y^2' indicates that the variable 'y' is squared, and the negative sign indicates that the parabola opens to the left.
  • Parabola Orientation – Understanding the orientation of parabolas based on their standard forms, specifically how the direction they open (left, right, up, down) affects their equations.
  • Standard Form of Parabolas – Recognizing the standard forms of parabolas, including the specific equations for those that open horizontally versus vertically.
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