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Use the discriminant of the equation by rewriting it in the form Ax^2+Bxy+Cy^2+Dx+Ey+F=0.
Parabola
We want to state whether the graph of the given equation is a parabola, a circle, an ellipse, or a hyperbola. To do so, we will rewrite it in the form Ax^2+ Bxy+ Cy^2+Dx+Ey+F=0. Then we can determine its discriminant. Recall that missing
terms have coefficient 0.
x^2-8x+16=6y
⇕
1x^2 + 0xy+ 0y^2 + (- 8)x + (- 6)y + 16=0
| Discriminant | Conic Section |
|---|---|
| B^2-4AC<0; B=0 and A=C | Circle |
| B^2-4AC<0; either B≠0 or A≠C | Ellipse |
| B^2-4AC=0 | Parabola |
| B^2-4AC>0 | Hyperbola |
Let's calculate the discriminant of our equation.
The discriminant equals 0, so the graph of the equation is a parabola.