Which of the following equations represents the parabola with vertex at [tex]\((4,1)\)[/tex] and directrix [tex]\(y=6\)[/tex]?

A. [tex]\((y-1)^2 = -8(x-4)\)[/tex]
B. [tex]\((y+1)^2 = 8(x+4)\)[/tex]
C. [tex]\((x-4)^2 = -20(y-1)\)[/tex]
D. [tex]\((x+4)^2 = 20(y+1)\)[/tex]



Answer :

To determine which equation represents the parabola with a vertex at [tex]\((4, 1)\)[/tex] and directrix [tex]\(y = 6\)[/tex], we can follow these steps:

1. Understand the standard form of a parabola:

The standard equation of a parabola that opens vertically (either up or down) with a vertex at [tex]\((h, k)\)[/tex] is:
[tex]\[ (x - h)^2 = 4p(y - k) \][/tex]
where [tex]\(p\)[/tex] is the distance from the vertex to the focus (or directrix, depending on the direction of the parabola).

2. Determine the value of [tex]\(p\)[/tex]:

Since the directrix [tex]\(y = 6\)[/tex] is vertical and above the vertex [tex]\((4, 1)\)[/tex], we calculate [tex]\(p\)[/tex], which is the distance between the vertex and the directrix:
[tex]\[ p = k - \text{directrix\_y} = 1 - 6 = -5 \][/tex]
The negative sign indicates that the parabola opens downward.

3. Substitute [tex]\(h\)[/tex], [tex]\(k\)[/tex], and [tex]\(p\)[/tex] into the standard form:

Given [tex]\(h = 4\)[/tex], [tex]\(k = 1\)[/tex], and [tex]\(p = -5\)[/tex], we substitute these values into the standard form equation:
[tex]\[ (x - 4)^2 = 4(-5)(y - 1) \][/tex]
Simplify the equation:
[tex]\[ (x - 4)^2 = -20(y - 1) \][/tex]

4. Match the derived equation with the given choices:

The equation we derived is [tex]\((x - 4)^2 = -20(y - 1)\)[/tex]. Comparing with the given choices, we see that the correct match is:

[tex]\[ (x - 4)^2 = -20(y - 1) \][/tex]

Therefore, the equation that represents the parabola with vertex [tex]\((4, 1)\)[/tex] and directrix [tex]\(y = 6\)[/tex] is:

[tex]\[ \boxed{(x - 4)^2 = -20(y - 1)} \][/tex]

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