PRE-CALCULUS

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

Conic Sections and Systems of Nonlinear Equations

Name of learner ________________

Section _____________ Date ______

Background Information for Learners

Conic sections are a particular type of shape formed by the intersection of a

plane and a right circular cone. Depending on the angle between the plane and the
cone, four different intersection shapes can be formed.

The types of conic sections are circles, ellipses, hyperbolas, and parabolas.
Each conic section also has a degenerate form; these take the form of points and
lines.

Circle: The conic section formed by the plane being parallel to the base of the
cone.
Hyperbola: The conic section formed by the plane being perpendicular to the
base of the cone.
Ellipse: The conic section formed by the plane being at an angle to the base of
the cone.
Parabola: The conic section formed by the plane being parallel to the cone.

The figure shows the different types of conic section.

Classifications of Conics

To classify a conic section when it is in the general form, use the

discriminant to determine if the conic is a parabola, circle, ellipse, or hyperbola. If
the general form of the equation is 𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐵𝑥𝑦 + 𝐶𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0, where B=0,
then the discriminant will be B2−4AC. Refer on the table:

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 B2−4AC=0 and A=0 or C
Parabola
=0

B2−4AC<0 and A=C Circle

B2−4AC<0 and A≠C Ellipse

B2−4AC>0 Hyperbola

Example 1: Determine each of the following equations if it is a CIrcle, Parabola,

Hyperbola or Ellipse.
1. x2−4y2+5x−8y+16=0
A=1, B=0, and C=−4 Identify the values of A, B and C
2
0 −4(1) (−4) =16 Use the Discriminant
Since 16>0, this equation represents a hyperbola.

2. 3x2+3y2−9x−12y−20=0
A=3, B=0, C=3 Identify the values of A, B and C
2
0 −4(3)(3) =−36 Use the Discriminant
Since -36<0 and A=C, this equation represents a circle.

3. x2+3xy=−5y2−10.
x2+3xy=−5y2−10x2+3xy+5y2+10=0 Rewrite the equation in standard form.
A=1, B=3, C=5 Identify the values of A, B and C
2
3 −4(1)(5) =−11 Use the Discriminant
Since -11<0 and A≠C, this equation represents an ellipse.

Learning Competency with code

illustrate the different types of conic sections: parabola, ellipse, circle, hyperbola, and
degenerate cases. (STEM_PC11AGIa-1)

Activity 1. Classify each conic section.

1. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 30 5. 𝑥 = (𝑦 + 4)2 − 2

𝑦2 𝑥2
2. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 36 6. − =1
25 25

𝑥2 𝑦2
3. + =1 7. 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 1)2 + 3
9 16

𝑦2
4. 𝑥 = 𝑦 2 8. (𝑥 − 1)2 + =1
25

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Activity 2. Classify each conic section and write its equation in standard form.

1. −𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 𝑦 − 21 = 0

2. −2𝑦 2 + 𝑥 − 20𝑦 − 49 = 0

3. 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 𝑦 − 1 = 0

4. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 9 = 0

5. 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 − 2𝑥 − 8 = 0

6. 3𝑥 2 + 30𝑥 + 𝑦 + 79 = 0

7. −9𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 72𝑥 − 153 = 0

Reflection

What have you learned from this activity?

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References

“Learn how to classify conic sections”. Accessed on July 17, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6c0y_gnjdM
Pre calculus Grade 11 Learner's Module Senior High School”. Accessed on July 17,
2020 https://www.slideshare.net/clarealcober/pre-calculus-grade-11-learners-
module-senior-high-school

Answer Key
Activity 1. Classify each conic sections.
1. Circle
2. Circle
3. Ellipse
4. Parabola
5. Parabola
6. Hyperbola
7. Parabola
8. Ellipse

Activity 2.Classify each conic sections and write its equation in standard form.
1. Parabola 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 5)2 − 4
2. Parabola 𝑥 = 2(𝑦 + 5)2 − 1
3. Parabola 𝑦 = −(𝑥 + 1)2 + 2
4. Circle (𝑥 + 3)2 + (𝑦 − 1)2 = 1
(𝑥−1)2 𝑦2
5. Hyperbola − =1
9 9
6. Parabola 𝑦 = −3 (𝑥 + 5)2 − 4
𝑦2
7. Hyperbola − (𝑥 + 4)2 = 1
9

Prepared by:

APRIL JOY S. MANIALUNG

Illustrated by:

KRISLENE IDA N. MERCADO