Question

A satellite dish is being designed so that it can pick up radio waves coming from space. The satellite dish will be in the shape of a parabola and will be positioned above the ground such that its focus is 50 ft above the ground. Using the ground as the x-axis, where should the base of the satellite be positioned? Which equation best describes the equation of the satellite?

A) (0,25): y = 1/100x^2 - 25
B) (0,50): y = 1/200x^2 - 50
C) (0,25): y = 1/100x^2 + 25
D) (0,50): y = 1/200x^2 + 50

Answer 1

The base of the satellite dish should be positioned at (0, 50) and the equation that best describes the shape of the satellite dish is y = 1/200x^2 - 50.

Step-by-step explanation:

The satellite dish is in the shape of a parabola. To determine the position of the base of the satellite, we need to find the equation of the satellite. Since the focus of the satellite dish is 50 ft above the ground, the vertex of the parabola would be at (0, 50). The equation that best describes the shape of the satellite dish is (0, 50): y = 1/200x^2 - 50.