Select the correct answer.

What is the equation of a parabola whose vertex is [tex][tex]$(0,5)$[/tex][/tex] and whose directrix is [tex][tex]$x=2$[/tex][/tex]?

A. [tex][tex]$y^2=8(x-5)$[/tex][/tex]
B. [tex][tex]$8(y-5)=x^2$[/tex][/tex]
C. [tex][tex]$(y-5)^2=8 x$[/tex][/tex]
D. [tex][tex]$(y-5)^2=-8 x$[/tex][/tex]



Answer :

To find the equation of a parabola given its vertex and directrix, we need to follow these steps:

1. Identify the standard form of the parabola:

The standard form of a parabola with a horizontal orientation and vertex [tex]\((h, k)\)[/tex] is:
[tex]\[ (y - k)^2 = 4p(x - h) \][/tex]
where [tex]\(p\)[/tex] is the distance from the vertex to the focus (or equivalently, from the vertex to the directrix, but with opposite sign).

2. Substitute the vertex coordinates:

Given the vertex is [tex]\((0, 5)\)[/tex], we have [tex]\(h = 0\)[/tex] and [tex]\(k = 5\)[/tex]. So, the equation becomes:
[tex]\[ (y - 5)^2 = 4p(x - 0) \][/tex]
which simplifies to:
[tex]\[ (y - 5)^2 = 4px \][/tex]

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

The distance from the vertex to the directrix [tex]\(x = 2\)[/tex] is calculated as the absolute difference in the x-coordinates:
[tex]\[ |0 - 2| = 2 \][/tex]
Since the directrix is to the right of the vertex, the parabola opens to the left, and therefore [tex]\(p\)[/tex] is negative. Thus, [tex]\(p = -2\)[/tex].

4. Substitute [tex]\(p\)[/tex] into the equation:

Now we substitute [tex]\(p = -2\)[/tex] into the equation:
[tex]\[ (y - 5)^2 = 4(-2)x \][/tex]
which simplifies to:
[tex]\[ (y - 5)^2 = -8x \][/tex]

Therefore, the equation of the parabola that fits the given conditions is:
[tex]\[ (y - 5)^2 = -8x \][/tex]

Thus, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ \text{D. } (y - 5)^2 = -8x \][/tex]

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