From the equation of a parabola...

From the equation of a parabola identify the focus, directrix, and axis of symmetry.
x = (-1/8)y^2
Thanks for your help!

Take the original equation and multiply -8 by both sides to get

-8x = y²

This is now the equation for a parabola

y² = 4px

Where p = -2.

The focus is (p,0), or (-2,0).

The directrix is x = -p, or x=2.

Because y is squared, the axis of symmetry is the x-axis.

Remember that if you are also supposed to graph this that it is a horizontal parabola that opens to the left and the vertex is at (0,0).

:)