Famous Theorems of Mathematics/Geometry/Conic Sections

Parabola Properties

Prove for point (x,y) on a parabola with focus (h,k+p) and directrix y=k-p, that:

$(x - h)^2 = 4p(y - k)$

and that the vertex of this parabola is (h,k)

Statement	Reason
(1) Arbitrary real value h	Given
(2) Arbitrary real value k	Given
(3) Arbitrary real value p where p is not equal to 0	Given
(4) Line l, which is represented by the equation $y =k - p$	Given
(5) Focus F, which is located at $(h,k + p)$	Given
(6) A parabola with directrix of line l and focus F	Given
(7) Point on parabola located at $(x,y)$	Given
(8) Point (x, y) must is equidistant from point f and line l.	Definition of parabola
(9) The distance from (x, y) to l is the length of line segment which is both perpendicular to l and has one endpoint $P_1$ on l and one endpoint $P_2$ on (x, y).	Definition of the distance from a point to a line
(10) Because the slope of l is 0, it is a horizontal line.	Definition of a horizontal line
(11) Any line perpendicular to l is vertical.	If a line is perpendicular to a horizontal line, then it is vertical.
(12) All points contained in a line perpendicular to l have the same x-value.	Definition of a vertical line
(13) Point $P_1$ has a y-value of $k - p$.	(4) and (9)
(14) Point $P_1$ has an x-value of x.	(7), (9), and (12)
(15) Point $P_1$ is located at (x, k - p).	(13) and (14)
(16) Point $P_2$ is located at (x, y).	(9)
(17) $P_1 P_2 = \sqrt{(x-x)^2 + (y - [k - p])^2}$	Distance Formula
(18) $P_1 P_2 = \sqrt{(y - k + p)^2}$	Distributive Property
(19) $P_1 P_2 = (y - k + p)$	Apply square root; distance is positive
(20) $FP_2 = \sqrt{(x - h)^2 + (y - [k + p])^2}$	Distance Formula
(21) $FP_2 = \sqrt{(x - h)^2 + (y - k - p)^2}$	Distributive Property
(22) $FP_2 = P_1 P_2$	Definition of Parabola
(23) $\sqrt{(x - h)^2 + (y - k - p)^2} = (y - k + p)$	Substitution
(24) $(x - h)^2 + (y - k - p)^2 = (y - k + p)^2$	Square both sides
(25) $(x - h)^2 + k^2 + p^2 + y^2 + 2kp - 2ky - 2py = k^2 + p^2 + y^2 -2kp -2ky + 2py$	Distributive property
(26) $(x - h)^2 + 2kp - 2py = 2py - 2kp$	Subtraction Property of Equality
(27) $(x - h)^2 = 4py - 4kp$	Addition Property of Equality; Subtraction Property of Equality
(28) $(x - h)^2 = 4p(y - k)$	Distributive Property

Finding the Axis of Symmetry

Statement	Reason
(29) The axis of symmetry is vertical.	(10); Definition of axis of symmetry; if a line is perpendicular to a horizontal line, then it is vertical
(30) The axis of symmetry contains (h, k + p).	Definition of Axis of Symmetry
(31) All points in the axis of symmetry have an x-value of h.	Definition of a vertical line; (30)
(32) The equation for the axis of symmetry is $x = h$.	(31)

Finding the Vertex

Statement	Reason
(33) The vertex lies on the axis of symmetry.	Definition of the vertex of a parabola
(34) The x-value of the vertex is h.	(33) and (32)
(35) The vertex is contained by the parabola.	Definition of vertex
(36) $(h - h)^2 = 4p(y - k)$	(35); Substitution: (28) and (34)
(37) $0 = 4p(y - k)$	Simplify
(38) $0 = y - k$	Division Property of Equality
(39) $k = y$	Addition Property of Equality
(40) $y = k$	Symmetrical Property of Equality
(41) The vertex is located at $(h,k)$.	(34) and (40)