Question

A solar oven uses a parabolic reflector to focus the sun's rays at a point 5 inches from the vertex of the

reflector (see figure). Write an equation for a cross section of the oven's reflector with its focus on the
positive y axis and its vertex at the origin.

Answer 1

y =
`(x^2)/(20)`

The focus of the solar oven's reflector is (0,a)

Explanation:

The missing figure( i.e diagram) from the question is attached below:

Now ; given that :

The focus of the sun's rays is at a point L = 5 inches away from the vertex of the reflector. Also the distance of the parabolic curve be a= L = 5

So the equation for a cross section of the oven's reflector with its focus on the

positive y axis and its vertex at the origin is expressed as:

x² = 4 L y

x² = 4 (5) y

x² = 20 y

y =
`(x^2)/(20)`

The focus of the solar oven's reflector is (0,a)