This is the write-up for problem #9 on assignment 6.

Constructing the Parabola

Using Geometer's Sketchpad

By

Doug Westmoreland

Let's first take a look at the definition of a parabola.

Parabola : The locus of all points in a plane such that each point on the curve is the same distance from a given point as it is from a given line.

The given point is called the focus. And the given line is called the directrix. The distance from the point on the parabola to the directrix must be measured perpendicular to the directrix.

 

 

 

We can use Geometer's Sketchpad to construct a parabola given a fixed point for the focus and a line (segment) for the directrix.

Click on one of the following links below to view a dynamic presentation of the parabola using GSP:

 

 

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