In two or more complete sentences, explain how you would find the equation of a parabola, given the coordinate of the focus and the equation of the directrix.

First, we observe where on the graph the focus and directrix are. Next, we determine where the parabola is by deducing that the vertex of the parabola is always an equal distance away from the focus and directrix. Finally, I would determine the equation of the parabola by using a coordinate on the line and computing the equation.

Step-by-step explanation:

for the friend request.

when a figure, such as triangle (xyz) is reflected over the line y = x to create x'y'z' the x-coordinates and y-coordinates of the original image (pre-image) will be reversed for the image. (e.g., (x, y) > (y, x)) this means that the pre-image position of the x- and y-coordinates switch places which in turn provides a mirror like image of the original xyz.  

i notice that when i draw a line segment from x to x', that the points are parallel from each other -- they are exactly across from each other and do not intersect with any other points.  

yes, think i would see the same characteristic if you drew the line segment connecting y with the reflecting line and then y' with the reflecting line because of the essence of reflections. because it is a mirror image, each point was effected the same way which leads me to conclude that they same would apply to y and y'.