1.

5 CONIC SECTIONS IN POLAR COORDINATES

In this section we give a more unified treatment of all three types of conic sections in terms of a focus
and directrix. Furthermore, if we place the focus at the origin, then a conic section has a simple polar
equation, which provides a convenient description of the motion of planets, satellites, and comets.
EXAMPLE 1

For each of the following equations, identify the conic with focus at the origin, the directrix, and the
eccentricity.

a. b. c.

Solution

For each of the three conics, we will rewrite the equation in standard form. Standard form has a as the
constant in the denominator. Therefore, in all three parts, the first step will be to multiply the
numerator and denominator by the reciprocal of the constant of the original equation, , where is that
constant..

a) For , divide with 3…..

here e=2/3

So numerator

Since e=2/3 it is an ellipse, the directrix is y=3

b) For , divide with 4…..

here e=5/4

So numerator

Since e=5/4 it is a hyperbola, the directrix is x=12/5

c) For , divide with 2…..

here e=-1

So numerator

7/

Since e=1 it is a parabola, the directrix is y=-7/2

EXAMPLE 2

A conic is given by the polar equation

Find the eccentricity, identify the conic, locate the directrix, and sketch the conic.

Solution:

Dividing numerator and denominator by 3, we write the equation as

an ellipse with e = -2/3

Since ed = 10/3 , we have

so the directrix has Cartesian equation x = –5. When  = 0, r = 10; when  = , r = 2. So the vertices have
polar coordinates (10, 0) and (2, ).

 0 /2  3/2 2

r 10 10/3 2 10/3 10

EXAMPLE 3

Identify the type of conic represented by the equation

Soln
 e=1/2 ed=3 d=6

 0 /2  3/2 2

r 3 2 3 6 3

Directrix y=6

Example 4

Analyze the graph of the polar equation

Soln

e=5/3 therefore a hyperbola

Since ed = 32/3 , we have

 0 /2  3/2 2

r 32/3 32/8 32/3 -16 32/3

10.67 4 24 10.67

Directrix y= 6.4

– 2
18 4
 4

Example 5

Find the polar equation of the parabola whose focus is the pole and whose directix is y=-4

Exercise

a) b) c)