Chapter 4: Conic Sections (Clear, Visual, and Friendly)
Overview: This chapter takes you beyond circles into the world of conic sections: parabolas, ellipses,
and hyperbolas. These curves are all created by slicing a cone at different angles. We’ll explore their
standard equations, properties, and uses—one by one.
Fun starter: Think of conics as cone-sliced pasta: you slice the cone horizontally? Circle. At
an angle? Ellipse. Straight down the side? Parabola. Two pieces? Hyperbola!
4.1 Review: Circle (for completeness)
• Standard form:
(x − h)2 + (y − k)2 = r2
• Center: (h, k) , radius: r .
4.2 Parabola
Definition: A parabola is the set of points that are equidistant from a fixed point (focus) and a fixed line
(directrix).
Standard Form (Vertex at origin)
1. Horizontal axis (opens right/left):
y 2 = 4ax
2. Vertical axis (opens up/down):
x2 = 4ay
3. Vertex: origin (0,0)
4. Focus: (a, 0) or (0, a) depending on axis
5. Directrix: x = -a or y = -a
6. Axis: line passing through vertex and focus
Shifted Parabola (Vertex (h, k) )
• Horizontal:
(y − k)2 = 4a(x − h)
• Vertical:
(x − h)2 = 4a(y − k)
Example 4.2
1
(y − 1)2 = 8(x + 2)
- Vertex = (−2, 1)
- Since 4a = 8 , a = 2 , so:
- Focus = (0, 1) + (2, 0) = (0, 1)
- Directrix = x = −4
Practice 4.2 1. Find vertex, focus, and directrix of
x2 = −12y
2. Sketch the parabola
(y + 3)2 = 4(x − 2)
3. Determine whether
(x − 1)2 = −4(y + 2)
opens up/down/left/right.
4.3 Ellipse
Definition: Set of points where the sum of distances from two fixed points (foci) is constant.
Standard Form (Horizontal major axis):
(x − h)2 (y − k)2
2
+ =1
a b2
Where a > b , 2a = major axis length.
• Center: (h, k)
• Vertices: (h ± a, k)
• Foci: (h ± c, k) where c2 = a2 − b2
• Eccentricity: e = c
a , always less than 1
Vertical Ellipse:
(x − h)2 (y − k)2
+ =1
b2 a2
Example 4.3
(x − 1)2 (y + 2)2
+ =1
9 4
- Center: (1, −2), a = 3, b = 2
2
- Vertices: (1 ± 3, −2) = (−2, −2), (4, −2)
- Foci: (1 ± √5, −2)
Practice 4.3 1. Identify major/minor axes of
x2 y2
+ =1
16 9
2. Find center, vertices, and foci of
(x + 2)2 (y − 3)2
+ =1
25 9
4.4 Hyperbola
Definition: Set of points where the absolute difference of distances to two fixed points (foci) is constant.
Standard Form (Horizontal transverse axis):
(x − h)2 (y − k)2
− =1
a2 b2
• Center: (h, k)
• Vertices: (h ± a, k)
• Foci: (h ± c, k), where c2 = a2 + b2
• Eccentricity: e = c
a >1
Vertical Hyperbola:
(y − k)2 (x − h)2
− =1
a2 b2
Example 4.4
(x − 1)2 (y + 1)2
− =1
4 9
- Center = (1, −1)
- a = 2, b = 3
- c = √(4 + 9) = √13
- Foci = (1 ± √13, −1)
Practice 4.4 1. For
x2 y2
− =1
9 16
, find vertices and foci.
2. Sketch
3
(y + 2)2 (x − 3)2
− =1
4 1
.
3. Which direction does
(y − 5)2 (x + 2)2
− =1
36 25
open?
4.5 Summary Table
Conic Standard Equation Eccentricity (e) Shape Clue
Circle (x − h)2 + (y − k)2 = r2 0 Equal radii
Parabola y 2 = 4ax or x2 = 4ay 1 One focus
x2 y2
Ellipse a2 + b2 =1 <1 "Oval" shape
x2 y2
Hyperbola a2 − b2 =1 >1 Two branches
4.6 Challenge Problems
1. Find the equation of a parabola with vertex at (0, 0) and focus at (0, 3).
2. A hyperbola has vertices at (±5, 0) and foci at (±13, 0). Find its equation.
2
2
3. Show that the ellipse x + y = 1 has the same foci spacing as a hyperbola x
2 y2
25 9 25 − 16 =1.
Next Up: Chapter 5—Tangents and Normals to Conics. We’ll draw lines that barely touch or stand
straight up to the curves!
