Method to Find Unknown Vertex, Focus and Directrix of the Parabola | Steve Wait – July 31, 2020

1. Strike line AB tangent to the Parabola
2. Strike line CE ⊥ to line AB at tangent point P1
3. Strike line GH ⊥ to line AB at tangent point P2
4. Strike line IJ ⊥ to line GH at tangent point P2
5. Mark intersection points P3 and P4 (P4 lies on the Directrix)
6. Strike line through P3 and P4 (line is ∥ to Axis of Symmetry)
7. Strike line KM ⊥ to line P3P4 at point P4 (establishes Directrix)
8. Measure closest distance from line KM to the Parabola and mark points V and D (establishes Axis of Symmetry)
9. Transfer distance from D to V to establish distance V to F along line DV (establishes Focus, point F)
10. Strike line LR ⊥ to line DF through point F (establishes Latus Rectum)