Find an equation of the parabola whose graph is shown.
A) $x ^ { 2 } = 4 y$
B) $x ^ { 2 } = 16 y$
C) $y ^ { 2 } = 16 x$
D) $y ^ { 2 } = 8 x$
E) none of these

Question

Find an equation of the parabola whose graph is shown. 
A) $x ^ { 2 } = 4 y$ 
B) $x ^ { 2 } = 16 y$ 
C) $y ^ { 2 } = 16 x$ 
D) $y ^ { 2 } = 8 x$ 
E) none of these

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The parabola opens upwards and is symmetric about the vertical line passing through the vertex. The vertex appears to be at the point (0,0) and the focus appears to be at the point (0,4). Thus, the equation of the parabola is of the form $x^2=4ay$, where $a$ is the distance from the vertex to the focus. Since $a=4$, the equation becomes $x^2=16y$. Therefore, the answer is choice B.

Find an Equation of the Parabola Whose Graph Is Shown x2=4yx ^ { 2 } = 4 yx2=4y

Find an Equation of the Parabola Whose Graph Is Shown $x ^ { 2 } = 4 y$