Question

Arrange the parabolas represented by the equations in increasing order with respect to the y-values of their directrixes.

Answer 1

(x-h)^2=4P(y-k), vertex is (h,k)
P is distance from vertex to directix
remember to subtract P from the y value of the vertex (p-k) and that y value is the directix, y=p-k

nut
ok so one way is to just graph them on a graphing utility
remember if the graph opens up, then the directix is below that
or we can convert to 4P(y-k)=(x-h)^2 form where P is distance from directix

I will only convert the 1st one fully, you should be able to do the rest

1. y=-x^2+3x+8
multiply both sides by -1 since we don't like the x^2 term negative
-y=x^2-3x-8
add8 to both sides
-y+8=x^2-3x
take 1/2 of linear coeficient and square it and add to both sides
-3/2=-1.5
 (-1.5)^2=2.25
-y+10.25=x^2-3x+2.25
factor perfect square
-y+10.25=(x-1.5)^2
force undistribute -1 in left side
(-1)(y-10.25)=something, we don't care anymore for now
factor out a 4 in -1
4(-1/4)(y-10.25)

k=10.25
p=-1/4=-0.25
directix=k-p=10.25-(-0.25)=10.5
directix is y=10.5

basically completee the square with x and find P by force factoring a 4 out

2.  directix: y=-1.75

3. directix: y=1.5

4. directix: y=17.25

5. d: -37.5

6. d: 9.25

7. d=2.625

order them yourself