1. ## parabola equation

Sir,

Whether

ax2 + by2 +cxy + dx + ey + f = 0

could represent a parabola.

If so,

whether I can find vertex, focus, directrix, axis of parabola, length of latus rectum, etc.

How to find the same.

with warm regards,

Aranga

2. ## Re: parabola equation

Are there any restrictions on a, b, c, d, e or f?

$ax^2+by^2+cxy+dx+ey+f=0$ is the general equation of a parabola (using your variables), $y=ax^2+dx+f$, when $b=c=0$ and $e=-1$.

Best,
Andy

3. ## Re: parabola equation

Thanks for the quick response.

The Normal equation used in the book was

ax^2 + by^2 + 2hxy + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 where h^2 = ab.

Whether for such equation of parabola. Is it possible to find vertex, focus, axis of parabola, equation of directrix, length of latus rectum, etc.

this is the actual question before me.

kindly guide me.

If possible with example.

4. ## Re: parabola equation

That is the general equation of a conic section. Certainly a parabola is a conic section but so is a circle, an ellipse, and a hyperbola. For certain values of a, b, f, g, h it could be any of those. In particular, if $h^2= ab$ then $ax^2+ by^2+ 2hxy= ax^2+ 2\sqrt{ab}xy+ by^2= (\sqrt{a}x+ \sqrt{b}y)^2$ so that equation becomes $(\sqrt{a}x+ \sqrt{b}y)^2+ dx+ ey+ f= 0$.

Now, let $u= \sqrt{a}x+ \sqrt{b}y$ and $v= -dx- ey$ so we have $u^2- v+ f= 0$ or $v= u^2+ f$, a parabola. What are the vertex. focus, etc for that? What are they in terms of a, b, h, etc.?

5. ## Re: parabola equation

Thank you very much. It is very useful. Now I got the idea to solve such problem in parabola. One more request. Any problem in this model so that I can do it myself and find vertex, focus, etc.

with best wishes.