Question

In a factory, a parabolic mirror to be used in a searchlight was placed on the floor. It measured 40 cm tall and 90 cm wide. Find an equation of the parabola with its vertex at the origin.

Answer 1

Equation of a parabola that opens up with vertex at it's origin: x^2=4py
point on the parabola:(45,40)
equation:
45^2=4p(40)
4p=45^2/40=40.625
thus
x^2=(50.625)y

Answer: x^2=(50.625)y