Find the equation of the parabola, if

the focus is at (- 6, 6) and the vertex is at (- 2, 2)

We need to find the equation of the parabola whose focus is (- 6, 6), and the vertex is (- 2, 2).



We know that the line passing through focus and vertex, i.e., the axis is perpendicular to the directrix and vertex is the midpoint of focus and point that lies at the intersection of axis and directrix.


The slope of the axis (m1) =



m1 = - 1


We know that the products of the slopes of the perpendicular lines is - 1.


Let us assume m2 be the slope of the directrix.


m1.m2 = - 1


- 1.m2 = - 1


m2 = 1


Let us find the point on directrix.




x - 6 = - 4 and y + 6 = 4


x = 2 and y = - 2


The point on directrix is (2, - 2).


We know that the equation of the lines passing through (x1, y1) and having slope m is y - y1 = m(x - x1)


y - (- 2) = 1(x - 2)


y + 2 = x - 2


x - y - 4 = 0


Let us assume P(x, y) be any point on the parabola.


We know that the point on the parabola is equidistant from focus and directrix.


We know that the distance between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is .


We know that the perpendicular distance from a point (x1, y1) to the line ax + by + c = 0 is .


SP = PM


SP2 = PM2





2x2 + 2y2 + 24x - 24y + 144 = x2 + y2 - 8x + 8y - 2xy + 16


x2 + y2 + 2xy + 32x - 32y + 128 = 0


The equation of the parabola is x2 + y2 + 2xy + 32x - 32y + 128 = 0.


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