LOCUS Equation of a Parabola:

Circle as a Locus Concave Up:

(x – h)2 = 4a(y – k)
Where: -
Equation of circle with centre (0, 0)  The vertex is at the point (h, k)
and radius r:  The focus is ‘a’ units above the
vertex. (h, k + a)
x2 + y2 = r2  The directrix is ‘a’ units below
the vertex. y = k – a

Equation of circle with centre (a, b) Concave Down:

and radius r:
(x – h)2 = – 4a(y – k)
(x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2 Where: -
 The vertex is at the point (h, k)
_______________________________  The focus is ‘a’ units below the
vertex. (h, k – a)
Parabola as a Locus  The directrix is ‘a’ units above
the vertex. y = k + a
A Parabola is the locus of a point Concave Right:
equidistant to from a point (the
focus) and a straight line (directrix). (y – k)2 = 4a(x – h)
Where: -
Eg:  The vertex is at the point (h, k)
The Parabola x2 = 4ay:  The focus is ‘a’ units right to the
vertex. (h + a, k)
 The directrix is ‘a’ units left to
y
the vertex. x = h – a
chord Concave Left:
focal chord

latus rectum (y – k)2 = – 4a(x – h)

. focus Where: -
Focal length
 The vertex is at the point (h, k)
. x
vertex  The focus is ‘a’ units left to the
vertex. (h – a, k)
Directrix y = -a
 The directrix is ‘a’ units right to
the vertex. x = h + a
The latus rectum is || to the directrix, and _______________________________
is a focal chord with length 4a.
Parametric Equations
Focal distance (distance from focus to
vertex), = a The parametric equations of the
parabola x2 = 4ay are:
x = 2at where t is a
parameter
y = at2