Construction of a Parabola
By Mary
Negley
For this exploration, I will construct a parabola,
which is by definition the set of points equal distance from a directrix (a
line) and a focus (a fixed point).
First I need a directrix with a point labeled ÒDrag
MeÓ on it and a focus, which is not located on the directrix.
Click here
to view a GSP sketch of a parabola generated from an animation and trace of a
constructed point.
Click here
to view the previous GSP sketch with a trace of the tangent line at the
constructed point.
