Answer :

To write the equation for a parabola with a focus at [tex]\((0, 5)\)[/tex] and a directrix at [tex]\(x = -7\)[/tex], follow these steps:

1. Determine the vertex of the parabola:
The vertex of a parabola is located midway between the focus and the directrix.

- The focus is at [tex]\((0, 5)\)[/tex].
- The directrix is the vertical line [tex]\(x = -7\)[/tex].

Since the vertex lies midway along the x-axis, we calculate:
[tex]\[ \text{vertex}_x = \frac{0 + (-7)}{2} = -3.5 \][/tex]
The y-coordinate of the vertex is the same as the y-coordinate of the focus, which is 5, so:
[tex]\[ \text{vertex}_y = \frac{5 + 5}{2} = 5 \][/tex]
Therefore, the vertex of the parabola is [tex]\((-3.5, 5)\)[/tex].

2. Identify the distance [tex]\(p\)[/tex]:
The distance [tex]\(p\)[/tex] is the distance from the vertex to the focus. Here, we have:
[tex]\[ p = |0 - (-3.5)| = 3.5 \][/tex]

3. Formulate the equation for the parabola:
For a parabola with a horizontal axis of symmetry (i.e., it opens left or right), the standard form is:
[tex]\[ (y - k)^2 = 4p(x - h) \][/tex]

Here, [tex]\((h, k)\)[/tex] is the vertex and [tex]\(p\)[/tex] is the focal distance. Substituting in the values we obtained:
[tex]\[ h = -3.5, \quad k = 5, \quad p = 3.5 \][/tex]

Thus, the equation of the parabola is:
[tex]\[ (y - 5)^2 = 4 \times 3.5 \times (x + 3.5) \][/tex]
Simplifying:
[tex]\[ (y - 5)^2 = 14(x + 3.5) \][/tex]

Therefore, the equation for the parabola is:
[tex]\[ (y - 5)^2 = 14(x + 3.5) \][/tex]

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