Final answer:
To find the focus and directrix of a parabola, we need its equation in the form y = ax^2 + bx + c. The focus is located at (h, k + 1/4a) and the directrix is a horizontal line at y = k - 1/4a.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the focus and directrix of a parabola, we need the equation of the parabola in the form y = ax^2 + bx + c. The focus (F) of the parabola is located at (h, k + 1/4a), where (h, k) is the vertex of the parabola. The directrix is a horizontal line located at y = k - 1/4a.
For example, if the equation of the parabola is y = x^2, then the vertex is at (0, 0) and the focus is located at (0, 1/4). The directrix is the line y = -1/4.