If the parabola y^2 = 16x opens to the right, what is the value of p?

If the parabola y^2 = 16x opens to the right, what is the value of p?

Step 1: Identify the given equation of the parabola, which is y^2 = 16x.
Step 2: Recognize that the standard form of a parabola that opens to the right is y^2 = 4px.
Step 3: Compare the given equation y^2 = 16x with the standard form y^2 = 4px.
Step 4: Notice that in the standard form, 4p corresponds to the number 16 in the given equation.
Step 5: Set up the equation 4p = 16 to find the value of p.
Step 6: Solve for p by dividing both sides of the equation by 4: p = 16 / 4.
Step 7: Calculate the result: p = 4.

Parabola Properties – Understanding the standard form of a parabola and its parameters, specifically how to identify the value of p in the equation y^2 = 4px.