Study Notes

Conic Sections
2 2

Math 30 Pure

1. The general form of the equation of a conic section is : Ax + Cy + Dx + Ey + f = 0 . Examples: circle : 2x + 2y 4x + 8y 30 = 0 hyperbola : 4x 3y + 8x 6y + 20 = 0 parabola (horizontal) : 3y 2x + y 10 = 0 2. The types of conic sections in relation to the cutting angle C and the generating angle G. C = the angle between the conic and the axis G = the angle between the generator of the conic and the axis
2 2 2 2 2

ellipse : 3x + 5y 6x + 10y 50 = 0 parabola (vertical) : 2x 3x + 2y 8 = 0

2

C = 90 degrees : circle : A and C will be equal : A = C C > G : ellipse : A and C have the same signs but different in size : A C > 0 C = G : parabola : one of A or C is 0 : A = 0 horizontal, C = 0 vertical C < G : hyperbola : A and C have opposite signs : A C < 0

3. Completion of the square is needed to switch from general form to standard form. 2x 8x + 15 2 x 4x + 15 2 x 4x + 4 8 + 15 2 ( x 2) + 7
2 2

2 2

Study Notes

Conic Sections

Math 30 Pure

4. The possible degenerates. circles and ellipses : one point - when after completing the square the right side equals 0 no curve - when after completing the square the right side in negative parabolas : one line - either x
2

or y is missing from the general form

hyperbolas : two intersecting lines - when after completing the square the right side equals 0

5. The standard forms and the basic curves for transformation descriptions. circles : ( x h ) + ( y k) = r ellipses : ( x h) a hyperbolas :
2 2 2 2 2

, ,

x +y =1 x +y =1
2 2

( y k) b
2 2

=1
2

( x h) a
2

( y k) b
2

=1

x y =1

opens horizontally

( x h) a
2

( y k) b
2

= 1 , ,

,
2

x y = 1 , ,

opens vertically

parabolas : y k = A( x h ) x h = C ( y k)

y=x x=y

opens vertically opens horizontally

6. Graphs of the standard curves.

a) the circle
2

( x 1) + ( y + 2) = 4

Study Notes

Conic Sections

Math 30 Pure

b) the ellipse : ( x + 1) 4
2

( y 2) 9

=1

c) the hyperbolas : ( x 1) 4 ( x 1) 4
2

( y + 1) 9

=1
2

( y + 1) 9

= 1

d) the parabolas y 1 = 2 ( x + 1)

2 2

x + 2 = 2 ( y 1)