Find the equation of the parabola if the vertex is $\left(1,2\right)$ and latus rectum is $y = 5$.
Given: Vertex $= V = \left(h,k\right) = \left(1,2\right)$ 
Draw a perpendicular from V to the latus rectum. 
It passes through the focus F. 
$\therefore$ $\;$ F is $\left(1, 5\right)$ 
Also, $VF = a = 3$ 
From the given data, the parabola is open upwards. 
$\therefore$ $\;$ The equation is of the form 
$\left(x - h\right)^2 = 4a \left(y - k\right)$ 
$\therefore$ $\;$ The required equation is 
$\left(x - 1\right)^2 = 4 \times 3 \times \left(y - 2\right)$ 
i.e. $\left(x - 1\right)^2 = 12 \left(y - 2\right)$
