Parabola Equations

The equation is y^2=4px, or x^2=4py depending on the equation. A parabola is a set of points that are equidistant from the directorix and the focus. The p is the distance from the vertex of the parabola to the focus, also the distance from the vertex to the directorix. To find p, solve for x^2 in the equation, and then set it equal to 4py. You then move p units away from the vertex to find the directorix or focus.