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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

A parabola has focus and directrix Express the equation of the parabola in the form where are integers, is a positive integer, and
Solution
Let be a point on the parabola. The distance from to the focus is The distance from to the line is By definition of the parabola, these distances are equal. Hence,

Squaring both sides, we get This simplifies to
Final answer
49x^2 - 42xy + 9y^2 - 222x - 54y + 603 = 0