What is the focus of a parabola?

Answer 1

The focus of a parabola is a fixed point that lies on the axis of the parabola "p" units from the vertex.

It can be found by the parabola equations in standard form:

(x-h)^2=4p(y-k)

or

(y-k)^2=4p(x-h)

depending on the shape of the parabola.

The vertex is defined by (h,k). Solve for p and count that many units from the vertex in the direction away from the directrix. (your focus should be inside the curve of your parabola)