A general formula for a parabola is y² = 4px. What is the value of p in the equation y² = -4x?

Solution:

As we know that a general formula for the equation of a parabola is y² = 4px

When the standard form is  y² = 4px, where the latus rectum = 4p and the axis of symmetry is along the x-axis.

Given: The parabola y² = -4x

Here the parabola opens to the left.

Equating the equation with the general formula we get,

⇒ 4px = -4x

⇒ 4p = -4

⇒ 4p = 4(-1)

⇒ p = -1

A general formula for a parabola is y² = 4px. What is the value of p in the equation y² = -4x?

Summary:

As we know that a general formula for the equation of a parabola is y² = 4px, then value of p in the equation y² = -4x is -1.