Conic sections are curves formed when a plane intersects a cone.
There are
four main types: circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas.
I. Circle
Definition: The set of all points equidistant from a fixed point called the
center.
Standard Equation: (x - h)² + (y - k)² = r² , where (h, k) is the center and r is
the radius.
General Equation: x² + y² + Ax + By + C = 0
Key Features:
Center: (h, k)
Radius: r
Diameter: 2r
Graphing: Plot the center and use the radius to find points on the circle.
II. Ellipse
Definition: The set of all points such that the sum of the distances from two
fixed points (foci) is constant.
Standard Equation:
Horizontal Ellipse: (x - h)²/a² + (y - k)²/b² = 1 (a > b)
Vertical Ellipse: (x - h)²/b² + (y - k)²/a² = 1 (a > b)
Where (h, k) is the center, a is the semi-major axis, and b is the semi-minor
axis.
Key Features:
Center: (h, k)
Foci: (h ± c, k) (horizontal) or (h, k ± c) (vertical), where c² = a² - b²
Vertices: (h ± a, k) (horizontal) or (h, k ± a) (vertical)
Major Axis Length: 2a
Minor Axis Length: 2b
Graphing: Plot the center, vertices, and foci. Sketch the elliptical shape.
III. Parabola
Definition: The set of all points that are equidistant from a fixed point (focus)
and a fixed line (directrix).
Standard Equation:
Opens Right: (y - k)² = 4p(x - h)
Opens Left: (y - k)² = -4p(x - h)
Opens Up: (x - h)² = 4p(y - k)
Opens Down: (x - h)² = -4p(y - k)
Where (h, k) is the vertex and p is the distance from the vertex to the focus
and from the vertex to the directrix.
Key Features:
Vertex: (h, k)
Focus: (h + p, k) (right), (h - p, k) (left), (h, k + p) (up), (h, k - p) (down)
Directrix: x = h - p (right), x = h + p (left), y = k - p (up), y = k + p (down)
Axis of Symmetry: Line passing through the vertex and focus.
Graphing: Plot the vertex, focus, and directrix. Sketch the parabolic shape.
IV. Hyperbola
Definition: The set of all points such that the difference of the distances from
two fixed points (foci) is constant.
Standard Equation:
Horizontal Hyperbola: (x - h)²/a² - (y - k)²/b² = 1
Vertical Hyperbola: (y - k)²/a² - (x - h)²/b² = 1
Where (h, k) is the center.
Key Features:
Center: (h, k)
Foci: (h ± c, k) (horizontal) or (h, k ± c) (vertical), where c² = a² + b²
Vertices: (h ± a, k) (horizontal) or (h, k ± a) (vertical)
Asymptotes: Lines that the hyperbola approaches as it extends to infinity. For
a horizontal hyperbola, the slopes are ±b/a. For a vertical hyperbola, the
slopes are ±a/b.
Graphing: Plot the center, vertices, and foci. Draw the asymptotes and
sketch the hyperbolic shape.
General Notes:
Conic Sections and the General Quadratic Equation: The general equation
Ax² + Bxy + Cy² + Dx + Ey + F = 0 can represent any conic section. The
discriminant (B² - 4AC) helps determine the type of conic.
Eccentricity (e): A measure of how much a conic section deviates from being
circular. e = 0 for a circle, 0 < e < 1 for an ellipse, e = 1 for a parabola, and
e > 1 for a hyperbola.
Applications: Conic sections have numerous applications in physics,
engineering, astronomy, and other fields. For example, planetary orbits are
elliptical, and parabolic mirrors are used in telescopes and satellite dishes.
