Conic Sections

Outline

Types of Conic Sections

The Parabola

The Ellipse

The Hyperbola
Types of Conic Sections

• A conic section (or simply conic) is

a curve which can be derived from
taking slices of a “double-napped”
cone.
• The nappes are the surfaces of
the cone. Generators
• The apex is the intersection point
of the tips of the two cones. Apex
• The generators are the lines that Nappes
lie on the surfaces of the cone.
• A conic section is formed if a
perpendicular plane cuts through
one or more nappes of the cone.
Types of Conic Section

• A conic section is called a parabola

if the plane is parallel to exactly one
generator.
Types of Conic Section

• A conic is called an ellipse if the

plane intersects each generator.
Types of Conic Section

• A circle is a special type of ellipse

which is formed when the plane is
parallel to the base of the cone.
Types of Conic Section

• A conic is called a hyperbola if the

plane that intersects the two
nappes is perpendicular to the base
of the cone.
The
Parabola
The Parabola
𝑦
• A parabola is the set of points on a plane
equidistant from a fixed point and a fixed
line on a plane.
• The fixed point is called the focus 𝐹 .
• The fixed line is called the directrix, 𝐷 . 𝑃 𝑥, 𝑦
• The point midway between 𝐹 and 𝐷 is
called the vertex 𝑉 of the parabola.
• It is the point on the parabola
whose distance from the focus is the 𝑎 𝑎 𝑥
shortest. This distance is denoted as
𝑎. 𝑉 𝐹 𝑎, 0
• The line that contains the focus and the
vertex is called the axis of the parabola.
• A parabola is always symmetric with
respect to its axis.
• The vertex is the point of intersection of
the parabola and its axis.

𝐷 : 𝑥 = −𝑎
The Parabola
𝑦
• Using the definition of the parabola:
𝑃𝐹 = 𝑃𝑄
• Using the distance formula: 𝑄 −𝑎, 𝑦
𝑥 − 𝑎 2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑥 + 𝑎 𝑃 𝑥, 𝑦

• Squaring both sides:

𝑥 − 𝑎 2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑥 + 𝑎 2
𝑥 2 − 2𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎2 𝑎 𝑎 𝑥
𝑉 𝐹 𝑎, 0
• Simplifying:
𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥

𝑎 is always positive.
The location of the focus with
respect to the vertex determines
the opening of the parabola. 𝐷: 𝑥 = −𝑎
The Parabola
𝑦
• The length of the opening of a
parabola is defined as the chord
that passes through the focus and
is perpendicular to the axis.
• This line segment is called the 𝐿
latus rectum 𝐿𝑅 , also known as 2𝑎
the focal chord, whose endpoints 𝑥
are denoted by 𝐿 and 𝑅.
𝑉 𝐹 𝑎, 0
• The distance from the focus to each 2𝑎
endpoint of the latus rectum is 2𝑎.
• The length of the latus rectum, 𝑅
denoted as 𝐿𝑅 , is 4𝑎.

𝐷: 𝑥 = −𝑎
Standard Forms of the Equation:
Parabola with Vertex at 0,0

Parabola Opening to the Right Parabola Opening to the Left

𝑦
𝒚𝟐 = 𝟒𝒂𝒙 𝒚𝟐 = −𝟒𝒂𝒙 𝑦

𝐿 𝑎, 2𝑎 𝐿 −𝑎, 2𝑎

𝑉 0,0 𝑥 𝑉 0,0 𝑥
𝐹 𝑎, 0 𝐹 −𝑎, 0

𝑅 𝑎, −2𝑎 𝑅 −𝑎, −2𝑎

𝐷: 𝑥 = −𝑎 𝐷: 𝑥 = 𝑎
Standard Forms of the Equation:
Parabola with Vertex at 0,0

Parabola Opening Upward Parabola Opening Downward

𝟐 𝑦 𝑦
𝒙 = 𝟒𝒂𝒚 𝒙𝟐 = −𝟒𝒂𝒚
𝐷: 𝑦 = 𝑎
𝑉 0,0 𝑥

𝐿 −2𝑎, −𝑎 𝑅 2𝑎, −𝑎
𝐹 0, −𝑎
𝐿 −2𝑎, 𝑎 𝐹 0, 𝑎 𝑅 2𝑎, 𝑎

𝑥
𝑉 0,0
𝐷: 𝑦 = −𝑎
Examples: Parabolas with Vertex at 0,0

I. Find the coordinates of the II. Find an equation of the parabola

vertex, focus, and endpoints of whose vertex is at 0,0 and
the latus rectum. Also, Find the satisfying the given conditions.
equation of the directrix. Then 5
sketch the graph of the parabola. 1. Focus is at − ,0
2
1. y 2 = −20x 2. Endpoints of the latus rectum at
3,6 and 3, −6 .
2. x 2 = −12y
3. Opens upward and length of the
3. y 2 = 24x
latus rectum is 8.
Standard Forms of the Equation:
Parabola with Vertex at ℎ, 𝑘

Parabola Opening to the Right Parabola Opening to the Left

𝑦
𝒚 − 𝒌 𝟐 = 𝟒𝒂 𝒙 − 𝒉 𝒚 − 𝒌 𝟐 = −𝟒𝒂 𝒙 − 𝒉 𝑦

𝐿 𝐿
𝐷 𝐷

𝑉 ℎ, 𝑘 𝑥 𝑉 ℎ, 𝑘 𝑥
𝐹 𝐹

𝑅 𝑅
Standard Forms of the Equation:
Parabola with Vertex at ℎ, 𝑘

Parabola Opening Upward Parabola Opening Downward

𝑦 𝟐 𝑦
𝒙 − 𝒉 = −𝟒𝒂 𝒚 − 𝒌

𝐷
𝑉 ℎ, 𝑘
𝐿 𝑅
𝐿 𝐹 𝑅
𝑉 ℎ, 𝑘 𝑥

𝐷
𝒙−𝒉 𝟐 = 𝟒𝒂 𝒚 − 𝒌
General Forms of the Equation of a
Parabola

Parabola with a Horizontal Axis Parabola with a Vertical Axis

𝒚𝟐 + 𝒅𝒙 + 𝒆𝒚 + 𝒇 = 𝟎 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒅𝒙 + 𝒆𝒚 + 𝒇 = 𝟎
• where 𝑑, 𝑒, and 𝑓 are • where 𝑑, 𝑒, and 𝑓 are
constants constants
Examples: Parabolas with Vertex at ℎ, 𝑘
I. Find the coordinates of the
vertex, focus, and endpoints of
the latus rectum. Also, Find the
equation of the directrix. Then
sketch the graph of the parabola.
1. x + 2 2 = −12 y − 5
2. y 2 + 8x − 6y + 17 = 0
3. 2x 2 − 2x − 5y − 7 = 0
II. Find an equation of the parabola
satisfying the given conditions.
Express the equation in its
general form.
1. Endpoints of the latus rectum at
−2,3 and 4,3 , and opens
upward.
2. Vertex at 3, −2 , passing through
1,2 , and with a horizontal axis.
3. Focus at 3,1 and with directrix
𝑦 = −2.
Exercise:
Parabolas with Vertex at ℎ, 𝑘
Find an equation of the parabola
satisfying the given conditions.
Express the equation in its general
form.
1. With vertical axis, 𝑉 −2,3 , and
passing through 2, −3 .
2. Opens upward, length of the latus
rectum is 8, and passing through
1
1, and 7,1 .
2
Assignment:
Parabolas with Vertex at ℎ, 𝑘
I. Find the coordinates of the
vertex, focus, and endpoints of
the latus rectum. Also, Find the
equation of the directrix. Then
sketch the graph of the parabola.
1. 4y 2 − 16x + 4y − 23 = 0
2. 4x 2 − 16x − 15y + 1 = 0
II. Find an equation of the parabola
satisfying the given conditions.
Express the equation in its
general form.
1. With vertical axis, 𝑉 −2,3 , and
passing through 2, −3 .
2. Opens upward, length of the latus
rectum is 8, and passing through
1
1, and 7,1 .
2
The
Ellipse
 𝑦

The Ellipse 𝒅𝑷𝑭 + 𝒅𝑷𝑭′ = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕

𝑃 𝑥, 𝑦

• An ellipse is the set of

points on a plane, the sum 𝑥
of whose distances from
two fixed points is 𝐹′ 𝐹
constant.
• The two fixed points are
called the foci, which are
denoted by 𝐹 and 𝐹′.
Properties of an Ellipse

a) Foci perpendicular to the focal axis, and

• Fixed points described in the terminating on the ellipse
definition of the ellipse. f) Eccentricity
b) Focal Axis g) Major Axis
• Line passing through the two foci • Line segment joining the two vertices
c) Vertices (usually the longest line segment in
• Points where the ellipse crosses the an ellipse)
focal axis h) Minor Axis
d) Center • Line segment through the center,
• Point midway between the foci, and perpendicular to the major axis, and
the midpoint of the vertices terminating on the ellipse
• The center, foci, and vertices lie on i) Directrices
the focal axis • Lines that are perpendicular to the
e) Latera Recta focal axis.
• Latus rectum is the line segment
passing through a focus,
Properties of an Ellipse

𝑦
𝐵

𝐿′ 𝐿

𝑉′ 𝑉 𝑥
𝐹′ 𝐶 𝐹

𝑅′ 𝑅
𝐷′ 𝐷

𝐵′
Parameters 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 of an Ellipse

2 2 2
𝑦
𝑎 =𝑏 +𝑐 𝑎 > 𝑏 and 𝑎 > 𝑐
𝐵

𝐿′ 𝒂 𝐿
𝒃

𝑉′ 𝑉 𝑥
𝐹′ 𝐶 𝒄 𝐹

𝑅′ 𝑅
𝐷′ 𝐷

𝐵′
Parameters 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 of an Ellipse

• The length of the major axis is • The distance from the center to a
equivalent to 2𝑎. 𝑎2
directrix is .
• The length of the semi-major 𝑐

axis is 𝑎. • Distance between the directrices

2𝑎2
if .
• The length of the minor axis is 2𝑏. 𝑐
• The length of the semi-minor • The length of a latus rectum is
axis 𝑏. 2𝑏2
equal to .
𝑎
• The distance between the two foci is
2𝑐. 2𝑏 2
𝐿𝑅 =
• Distance from the center to a 𝑎
focus is 𝑐. • Distance from a focus to an
𝑏2
endpoint of a latus rectum is .
𝑎
Parameters 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 of an Ellipse
𝑦
𝐵

𝐿′ 𝐿

𝑉′ 𝐹′ 𝐹 𝑉 𝑥
𝟐𝒃
𝐶

𝑅′ 𝑅
𝐷′ 𝐷

𝐵′
𝟐𝒄
𝟐𝒂
𝟐𝒂𝟐
𝒄
Properties of an Ellipse

• The eccentricity of a curve tells the amount of roundness of that curve.

• Denoted by 𝑒.
• A small eccentricity tends toward being circular, whereas an eccentricity
close to 1 indicates that the ellipse is elongated
• The eccentricity of a conic is the fixed ratio between the distances of a point
on the conic form a fixed point and from a fixed line.
𝒄
𝒆=
𝒂
• Eccentricity of each conic section:
• Circle: 𝑒 → 0
• Parabola: 𝑒 = 1
• Ellipse: 0 < 𝑒 < 1 (between 0 and 1)
• Hyperbola: 𝑒 > 1
 𝑦

Standard Forms of the

Equation of an Ellipse:
Center at the Origin
𝑃 𝑥, 𝑦

𝑥
• From the definition:
𝑑𝑃𝐹 + 𝑑𝑃𝐹′ = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐹′ 𝐹
𝑑𝑃𝐹 + 𝑑𝑃𝐹′ = 2𝑎
Standard Forms of the Equation of an
Ellipse: Center at the Origin
• By distance formula:
𝑥−𝑐 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 + 𝑐 2 + 𝑦 2 = 2𝑎
𝑥−𝑐 2 + 𝑦 2 = 2𝑎 − 𝑥 + 𝑐 2 + 𝑦2
• By squaring both sides:
2 2
𝑥−𝑐 2 + 𝑦2 = 2𝑎 − 𝑥+𝑐 2 + 𝑦2
2
𝑥−𝑐 + 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎2 − 4𝑎 𝑥+𝑐 2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑥 + 𝑐 2
+ 𝑦2
• By simplifying:
𝑥 2 − 2𝑐𝑥 + 𝑐 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎2 − 4𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑐 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 + 2𝑐𝑥 + 𝑐 2 + 𝑦 2
4𝑐𝑥 = 4𝑎2 − 4𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑐 2 + 𝑦 2
Standard Forms of the Equation of an
Ellipse: Center at the Origin
• By dividing both sides of the equation by, then simplifying:
𝑎2 + 𝑐𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑐 2 + 𝑦 2
• By squaring both sides:
𝑎4 + 2𝑐𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑐 2 𝑥 2 = 𝑎2 𝑥 + 𝑐 2
+ 𝑦2
• By expanding the right-hand side:
𝑎4 + 2𝑐𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑐 2 𝑥 2 = 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 2𝑐𝑥 + 𝑐 2 + 𝑦 2
• Simplifying:
𝑎4 − 𝑎2 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 𝑥 2 − 𝑐 2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎2 𝑦 2
• By factoring:
𝑎2 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2 = 𝑥 2 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2 + 𝑎2 𝑦 2
• By letting 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2 = 𝑏 2 :
𝑎2 𝑏 2 = 𝑥 2 𝑏 2 + 𝑎2 𝑦 2
 𝑦

Standard Forms of the

Equation of an Ellipse:
Center at the Origin
• By dividing both sides by
𝑎2 𝑏 2 :
𝑥2 𝑦2
2
+ 2=1
𝑎 𝑏
𝑥
Ellipse with center at 0,0 , 𝐹′ 𝐹
major axis is horizontal
 𝑦

Standard Forms of the

Equation of an Ellipse:
Center at the Origin
𝐹

𝑥
𝑥2 𝑦2
2
+ 2=1
𝑏 𝑎

Ellipse with center at 0,0 ,

major axis is vertical
𝐹′
Examples: Ellipse with Center at 0,0

I. Find the coordinates of the center, II. Find the equation of the ellipse
foci, vertices and endpoints of the with center at 0,0 satisfying the
latera recta. Also, find the given conditions.
equations of the directrices. Then 1. One endpoint of the minor axis at
sketch the graph of the ellipse. −5,0 and with one focus at 0,7 .
𝑥2 𝑦2
1. + =1 2. With major axis on the x-axis,
25 9
𝑥2 𝑦2
length of the major axis is 10, and
2. + =1 one endpoint of the latus rectum
16 20 9
at 4, .
5
3. Foci at 0,3 and 0, −3 , and length
13
of the latus rectum is .
7
Exercise: Ellipse with Center at 0,0

Find the coordinates of the center, foci, vertices and endpoints of the latera
recta. Also, find the equations of the directrices. Then sketch the graph of the
ellipse.
𝑥2 𝑦2
1. + =1
36 9
 𝑦

Standard Forms of the

Equation of an Ellipse:
Center at ℎ, 𝑘

2 2 𝑥
𝑥−ℎ 𝑦−𝑘
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏2
𝐹′ 𝐶 ℎ, 𝑘 𝐹

Ellipse with center at ℎ, 𝑘 ,

major axis is horizontal
 𝑦

Standard Forms of the

Equation of an Ellipse:
Center at ℎ, 𝑘
𝐹
𝑥

𝑥−ℎ 2 𝑦−𝑘 2
+ =1
𝑏2 𝑎2 𝐶 ℎ, 𝑘

Ellipse with center at ℎ, 𝑘 ,

major axis is vertical
𝐹′
General Form of the Equation of an Ellipse

• The general form of the equation of an ellipse is:

𝑨𝒙𝟐 + 𝑪𝒚𝟐 + 𝑫𝒙 + 𝑬𝒚 + 𝑭 = 𝟎

• Where 𝐴, 𝐶, 𝐷, 𝐸, and 𝐹 are constants, and 𝐴 and 𝐶 are both nonzero

and have the same sign.
Examples: Ellipse with Center at ℎ, 𝑘

I. Find the coordinates of the center, II. Find the equation, in general
foci, vertices and endpoints of the form, of the ellipse with center at
latera recta. Also, find the ℎ, 𝑘 satisfying the given
equations of the directrices. Then conditions.
sketch the graph of the ellipse. 1. Endpoints of the major axis at
1.
𝑥−1 2
+
𝑦+3 2
=1 −4,2 and 6,2 , and one endpoint
16 9 of the minor axis at 1, −2 .
2. 9𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 + 36𝑥 − 24𝑦
+ 36 = 0 2. Foci at 0, −4 and 10, −4 , and
3. 4𝑥 2 + 8𝑦 2 + 4𝑥 − 8𝑦 − 29 = 0 one directrix with equation 𝑥 = 11.
3. Center at −6,0 , and endpoints of
one latus rectum at −1,6 and
−11,6 .
Exercise: Ellipse with Center at ℎ, 𝑘
I. Find the coordinates of the center,
foci, vertices and endpoints of the
latera recta. Also, find the
equations of the directrices. Then
sketch the graph of the ellipse.
1. 2𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 12𝑥 − 8𝑦 + 26 = 0
II. Find the equation of the ellipse
with center at ℎ, 𝑘 satisfying the
given conditions.
1. Center at 2, −4 , length of the
vertical major axis 14, and the
length of the minor axis is 6.
2. Endpoints of the minor axis at
4, −3 and −2, −3 , and one
endpoint of the major axis at 1,3 .
3. Endpoints of the major axis −2,5
and −2, −7 , and one directrix
with equation 𝑦 = 8.
The
Hyperbola
 𝑦

The Hyperbola 𝒅𝑷𝑭 − 𝒅𝑷𝑭′ = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕

• A hyperbola is an open 𝑃 𝑥, 𝑦
curve with two branches,
that are mirror images of
each other and resemble 𝑥
two infinite bows. 𝐹′ 𝐹
• A hyperbola is the set of
points on a plane, the
absolute difference of
whose distances from two
fixed points, called foci, is
constant.
Properties of a Hyperbola

1. Foci • The eccentricity of a hyperbola is greater

• Fixed points in a hyperbola than 1
2. Focal Axis 7. Directrices
• Line passing through the two foci • Fixed lines that are perpendicular to the
focal axis.
3. Vertices
• Points where the hyperbola crosses the 8. Transverse Axis
focal axis • Line segment passing through the center
of the hyperbola and whose endpoints
4. Center are the vertices
• Point midway between the foci, and the 9. Conjugate Axis
midpoint of the vertices
• Line segment passing through the center,
• The center, foci, and vertices lie on the perpendicular to the transverse axis and
focal axis whose endpoints are B and B'
5. Latera Recta 10. Asymptotes
• Latus rectum is the line segment passing • Two lines that continually approach a
through a focus, perpendicular to the given curve but does not meet it at any
focal axis, and terminating on the finite distance
hyperbola
6. Eccentricity
• It uniquely characterizes its shape
Properties of a
Hyperbola
Properties of a
Hyperbola
Properties of a
Hyperbola
Parameters 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 of a Hyperbola

• The length of the transverse axis is • The distance 𝑐 can be obtained from
equivalent to 2𝑎. the equation 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 , where 𝑐 >
𝑎 and 𝑐 > 𝑏.
• Distance from the center to an
endpoint of the transverse axis is • The distance2 from the center to a
𝑎
𝑎. directrix is .
𝑐
• The length of the conjugate axis is • Distance
2
between the directrices
2𝑎
2𝑏. if .
𝑐
• Distance from the center to an • The length2 of a latus rectum is
endpoint of the conjugate axis is 2𝑏
equal to .
𝑏. 𝑎

• The distance between the two foci is 2𝑏 2

𝐿𝑅 =
2𝑐. 𝑎
• Distance from the center to a • Distance from a focus to an
𝑏2
focus is 𝑐. endpoint of a latus rectum is .
𝑎
Parameters 𝑎, 𝑏,
𝑐 of a Hyperbola
Parameters 𝑎, 𝑏,
𝑐 of a Hyperbola
Standard Form of
the Equation with
Center at ℎ, 𝑘

𝟐 𝟐
𝒙−𝒉 𝒚−𝒌
− =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐
Transverse axis is
horizontally oriented

Equations of the
Asymptotes
𝑏
𝑦 =± 𝑥−ℎ +𝑘
𝑎
Standard Form of
the Equation with
Center at ℎ, 𝑘

𝟐 𝟐
𝒚−𝒌 𝒙−𝒉
− =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐
Transverse axis is vertically
oriented

Equations of the
Asymptotes
𝑎
𝑦 =± 𝑥−ℎ +𝑘
𝑏
General Form of the Equation of a
Hyperbola
• The general form of the equation of a hyperbola is:

𝑨𝒙𝟐 − 𝑪𝒚𝟐 + 𝑫𝒙 + 𝑬𝒚 + 𝑭 = 𝟎

• Where 𝐴, 𝐶, 𝐷, 𝐸, and 𝐹 are constants, and 𝐴 and 𝐶 are both nonzero

and have different signs.