The given equation is y2 = –8x.
Here, the coefficient of x is negative. Hence, the parabola opens towards the left.
On comparing this equation with y2 = –4ax, we obtain
–4a = –8 ⇒ a = 2
∴Coordinates of the focus = (–a, 0) = (–2, 0)
Since the given equation involves y2, the axis of the parabola is the x-axis.
Equation of directrix, x = a i.e., x = 2
Length of latus rectum = 4a = 8
