Question

If the directrix is a vertical line through the point (4, 0) and the vertex is located at the origin, is the parabola a vertical or horizontal parabola? Which direction does the parabola open?

Answer 1

The parabola is horizontal and opens vertically and in the -y direction.

Explanation:

The directrix of a parabola is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the curve, in whose direction the parabola opens. If the directrix is vertical, the axis of symmetry is horizontal. Hence, the parabola is horizontal and opens vertically and in the -y direction, since the directrix is represented by
`x = 4`.