Question

A parabola passes through the points (–5, –10) and (5, –10), and the vertex is located at (0, 0). Find the equation of the parabola.

A. x^2=-5/2y
B.x^2=-5/8y
C.x^2=-5/32y
D.y^2=-5/2x

Answer 1

A. x^2 = -5/2y

Explanation:

The parabola has its vertex at (0, 0) and opens downward, so its equation can be of the form ...

x^2 = ay . . . . . for some negative constant "a"

We can find "a" by putting the values of one of the points into this equation and solving for "a".

(-5)^2 = a(-10)

25/(-10) = a = -5/2

The equation is ...

x^2 = -5/2y