Solve for X.
12 km
х
20 km

h²=p²+b²

20²=x²+12²

400-144=x²

256=x²

16²=x²

square will be cancelled so answer is 16

h²+b²=H²

x²+12²=20²

x²=20²-12²

x²=400-144

x²=256

look for the square root,,,which is 16

and so x=16

if the eqn of the parabola is f(x) = (x-4)(x+2), we need to mult. this out to find the coordinates of the vertex.

then f(x) = x^2 + 2x - 4x - 8, and f(x) = x^2 - 2x - 8.

one way in which you can find the vertex is to calculate x = -b / (2a).   here, that comes to

        )

x = = 1.   f(1) = 1^2 - 2(1) - 8 = - 9.   vertex is at (1, -9).

        2(1) 

find another point on the curve:   let x=0, for which y=-8.   then (0, -8) is on the curve.   plot the vertex and this point and draw a smooth parabola thru both.

hope this