The shape of a satellite dish can be described as parabolic. Satellite dishes are this shape because radio waves are reflected from the surface of the dish and received into the focus. If the graph of the satellite dish is given by the equation [tex]x^2=8 y[/tex], what are the coordinates of the focus?



Answer :

To determine the coordinates of the focus for the satellite dish described by the equation [tex]\(x^2 = 8y\)[/tex], we need to recognize that this is a parabolic equation in standard form. For a parabola that opens upwards and has its vertex at the origin [tex]\((0,0)\)[/tex], the standard equation is given by:

[tex]\[ x^2 = 4py \][/tex]

Where [tex]\((0, p)\)[/tex] is the focus of the parabola.

1. Identify the given equation and compare it with the standard form:
The given equation is:
[tex]\[ x^2 = 8y \][/tex]

2. Match the given equation to the standard form [tex]\(x^2 = 4py\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x^2 = 4py \][/tex]

By comparing it with:
[tex]\[ x^2 = 8y \][/tex]

We see that [tex]\(4p = 8\)[/tex].

3. Solve for [tex]\(p\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 4p = 8 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ p = \frac{8}{4} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ p = 2 \][/tex]

4. Determine the coordinates of the focus:
Since the focus is located at [tex]\((0, p)\)[/tex], we substitute [tex]\(p = 2\)[/tex] into the coordinates.

Thus, the coordinates of the focus are [tex]\((0, 2)\)[/tex].

Therefore, the coordinates of the focus of the satellite dish described by the equation [tex]\(x^2 = 8y\)[/tex] are:

[tex]\[ \boxed{(0, 2)} \][/tex]