I keep getting “Standard equations” questions wrong in Conic Sections. What's the trap?
mismatching the axis of the parabola with its equation.
The usual trap: mismatching the axis of the parabola with its equation. How to avoid it: y²=4ax opens right; x²=4ay opens up. Go back to the definition — circle (x−h)²+(y−k)²=r² and parabola y²=4ax are the building blocks.
Key point
Standard equations
Common mistake
mismatching the axis of the parabola with its equation.
Memory tip
y²=4ax opens right; x²=4ay opens up.
Tap to watch or see it right here — the app stays open (it only opens a quick search if nothing embeddable is found).