Thread: Standard equation of a parabola???? NEED HELP!!

So I've been busting my brain for a few days now trying to figure this out.

The problem goes like this

Write the standard from of a parabola given the following: Center (0,0) Radius=7

I know the standard form of a parabola is (x-h)^2=4p(y-k). The problem is I'm confused with the information they are giving me. I know P equals the distance from the vertex to focus (directrix), but the question is given me the radius. I've plugged in the h and k given to me, but I need P not R!!!! I've tried to figure this out for a few days now with no success. Please help because I'm starting to lose brain cells.

FrankieCutz

Where did you get this question from?

A parabola does not have a radius.

Originally Posted by a tutor

Where did you get this question from?

A parabola does not have a radius.

It's a question I have from my College Mathametics course I'm taking thru TUI. It's MAT101 College Mathematics. The specific section I'm in right now is called Conic Sections. The class is kind of a self paced course where we are given background information (which is basically a bunch of websites).

I totally agree with you that a parabola doesn't have a radius. That's what's killing me right now. I was hoping the previous questions in the assignment would somehow lead me to figure out this question, but the previous 3 questions are basically finding equations of circles.

I'm assuming that I'm suppose to figure out what P is given what I have using equations from the previous questions, but I'm clueless on how to do it.