need explanation of what exactly is a directrix & focus?

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((I'm not asking why do we need to know conic sections etc.) Like other similar questions.) I actually love math & currently learning conic sections in class, neither my textbook or teacher explain exactly what a directrix is? I just don't understand how to find it from $y=-2x^{2}$? my book says it's a fixed line equidistant from set all points that make up a parabola. But I don't get how do we know where the line is & why is it specifically located there & not 1unit up/down? plz if anyone could explain the logic? , I would greatly appreciate it.

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The points of the conic are equidistant from the directrix and the focal point. Suppose the focal point is at $(0,-f)$ then the directrix should be at $y=f$ so that the tip of parabola will be equidistant from both.

Now consider a point $(x,-2x^2)$ on the parabola. Find its distance form the focus and the directrix and set them equal.

From the directrix the distance is $f+2x^2$.

From the focus the distance is $\sqrt{x^2+(f-2x^2)^2}$

Now set these equal and solve for $f$. You will get $f=1/8$. So the directix is at $y=1/8$ and the focus at $(0,-1/8)$.