Analytic Geometry

Part 2

Introduction to Conic Sections

A conic section is a curve formed
by the intersection of
_________________________
a plane and a double cone.
There are some basic terms that you should know for this
topic:

•center: the point (h, k) at the center of a circle, an ellipse, or

an hyperbola.
•vertex (VUR-teks): in the case of a parabola, the
point (h, k) at the "end" of a parabola; in the case of an ellipse,
an end of the major axis; in the case of an hyperbola, the
turning point of a branch of an hyperbola; the plural form is
"vertices" (VUR-tuh-seez).
•focus (FOH-kuss): a point from which distances are measured
in forming a conic; a point at which these distance-lines
converge, or "focus"; the plural form is "foci" (FOH-siy).
•directrix (dih-RECK-triks): a line from which distances are
measured in forming a conic; the plural form is "directrices"
(dih-RECK-trih-seez).
•axis (AK-siss): a line perpendicular to the directrix passing
through the vertex of a parabola; also called the "axis of
symmetry"; the plural form is "axes" (ACK-seez).
•major axis: a line segment perpendicular to the directrix of an
ellipse and passing through the foci; the line segment terminates
on the ellipse at either end; also called the "principal axis of
symmetry"; the half of the major axis between the center and the
vertex is the semi-major axis.
•minor axis: a line segment perpendicular to and bisecting the
major axis of an ellipse; the segment terminates on the ellipse at
either end; the half of the minor axis between the center and the
ellipse is the semi-minor axis.
•locus (LOH-kuss): a set of points satisfying some condition or
set of conditions; each of the conics is a locus of points that
obeys some sort of rule or rules; the plural form is "loci" (LOH-siy)
The General Equation of a
Conic Section
Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0
 Ax2 + 0 + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0
When B = 0, then the principal axes of the
conic is parallel to the coordinate axis.
To identify the curve, compare the
coefficients of A and C.
Circles
 THE CIRCLE
VOCABULARY
• CIRCLE – THE SET OF POINTS THAT
ARE AT A FIXED DISTANCE CALLED A
RADIUS, FROM A FIXED POINT
CALLED THE CENTER
• RADIUS – DISTANCE FROM THE
CENTER OF A CIRCLE OR SPHERE TO
THE EDGE
 Equation for a Circle
• Standard Form: x² + y² = r²
• You can determine the equation for a
circle by using the distance formula then
applying the standard form equation.
• Or you can use the standard form.
• Most of the time we will assume the
center is (0,0). If it is otherwise, it will be
stated.
• It might look like: (x-h)² + (y – k)² = r²
General Equation

Ax2 + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0

Standard Equation

C(0,0)

C(h,k)
Examples
Recall completing
the squares in
algebra
 Seat Work #6
1. A circle with its center in the first quadrant is
tangent to both x and y axes. If its radius is 4,
what is the equation of the circle?
Ans. (x – 4)2 + (y – 4)2 = 16 or x2 + y2 -16x – 16y + 16 = 0

2. Determine the equation of a circle with center

at (1,-3) and the circle passes through (-3,5).
Ans. (x – 1)2 + (y + 3)2 = 80 or x2 + y2 - 2x – 6y + 70 = 0

3. The length of the tangent line from (5,1) to

the circle x2 + y2 + 6x – 4y – 3 = 0 is _?
Ans. 7 units
Parabolas
 PARABOLAS
• PARABOLAS – A SET OF POINTS IN A
PLANE THAT ARE EQUIDISTANT
FROM A FOCUS AND A FIXED LINE –
THE DIRECTRIX
• DIRECTRIX – THE FIXED STRAIGHT
LINE THAT TOGETHER WITH THE
POINT KNOWN AS THE FOCUS
SERVES TO DEFINE A PARABOLA.
 Where: F = Focus
l = line directrix
V = vertex
p = distance from focus to origin
LR = 4p p = distance from focus to directrix
4p = length of the latus rectum
General Equation
Parallel to y axis
Opens upward and downward Ax2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0
Parallel to x axis
Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 Opens right and left

Standard Equation

V(0,0)
Axis of Symmetry: x - axis

Opens: Up

Opens: Down

Axis of Symmetry: y - axis

Opens: Right

Opens: Left
 V(h,k)

Axis of Symmetry: x - axis

Opens: Up

Opens: Down

Axis of Symmetry: y - axis

Opens: Right

Opens: Left
vertex
Vertex V( h, k )
Focus F(h + p, k)
F(h, k + p)
Directrix x=h–p
y=k–p vertex

Standard Equations:

( x  h) 2  4 p ( y  k ) ( y  k ) 2  4 p ( x  h)

p>0 (positive) Opens UP Opens RIGHT

p<0 (negative) Opens DOWN Opens LEFT

• Parabolas exhibit unusual and
useful reflective properties.
• If a light is placed at the focus of a
parabolic mirror, the light will be
reflected in rays parallel to its axis.
• In this way a straight beam of light
is formed.
• It is for this reason that parabolic
surfaces are used for headlamp
reflectors.
• The bulb is placed at the focus for
the high beam and in front of the
focus for the low beam.
• The opposite principle is used
in the giant mirrors in reflecting
telescopes and in antennas
used to collect light and radio
waves from outer space:
• ...the beam comes toward the
parabolic surface and is
brought into focus at the focal
point.
So the vertex, exactly between the focus and
directrix, must be at (h, k) = (1,–2).
The absolute value of p is the distance
between the vertex and the focus and the
distance between the vertex and the
directrix. (The sign on p tells me which way
the parabola faces.) Since the focus and
directrix are two units apart, then this
distance has to be one unit, so | p | = 1.
 Seat Work #6

4. Find the equation of the parabola with the

vertex at (-2,3) and focus at (-4,3).
Ans. (y - 3)2 = -8 (x+2) or y2 – 6y + 8x + 25 = 0

5. A parabola has its focus at (7,-4) and

directrix y = 2. Determine its equation.
Ans. (x-7)2 = -12(y+1) or x2 – 14x + 12y + 61 = 0

6. How far is the directrix of the parabola x2

– 8x – 8y + 40 = 0 from the x – axis.
Ans. 2 units
 Ellipses
• Salami is often cut obliquely to obtain
elliptical slices, which are larger.
 ELLIPSES
• ELLIPSE – A SET OF POINTS IN A PLANE
SUCH THAT THE SUM OF THE DISTANCE
FROM TWO FOCI TO ANY POINT ON THE
ELLIPSE IS CONSTANT
• FOCUS (FOCI - plural) – ONE OF TWO
FIXED POINTS WITHIN IN AN ELLIPSE
SUCH THAT THE SUM OF THE
DISTANCES FROM THE POINTS TO ANY
OTHER POINT ON THE ELLIPSE IS
CONSTANT
 Vocabulary for Ellipses
• VERTICES – FOR AN ELLIPSE, THE Y
AND X INTERCEPTS ARE THE VERTICES
• MAJOR AXIS – FOR AN ELLIPSE, THE
LONGER AXIS OF SYMMETRY, THE AXIS
THAT CONTAINS THE FOCI
• MINOR AXIS – FOR AN ELLIPSE, THE
SHORTER AXIS OF SYMMETRY
• CENTER – FOR AN ELLIPSE, THE
INTERSECTION OF THE MAJOR AND
MINOR ARCS
a2 = b2 + c2

Where: 2a = major axis

a = semi-major axis
2b = minor axis
b = semi-minor axis
c = dist. From vertex to focus
LR = length of the latus rectum
D = directrix
General Equation

Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0

Standard Equation

C(0,0)

Horizontal Orientation
Vertical Orientation
 C(h,k)

Horizontal Orientation Vertical Orientation

You'll notice e there are two different
patterns: one for a horizontal ellipse and one
for a vertical. Whichever denominator is
larger determines which variable is a
(because a is always bigger since it is the
major axis.) If the larger number is under
the x, then the ellipse is horizontal. If it is
under the y then it is vertical.
Examples
Then the value of c is 3, and the foci are three units to
either side of the center, at (–3, 0) and (3, 0).
Seat Work #6
Eccentricity of Ellipse
ECCENTRICITY
Hyperbolas
HYPERBOLAS
• HYPOBERLA – A SET OF POINTS
SUCH THAT THE DIFFERENCE OF THE
DISTANCES FROM TWO FIXED POINTS
TO ANY POINT ON THE HYPERBOLA IS
CONSTANT
• VERTICES – X OR Y INTERCEPTS OF A
HYPERBOLA
• ASYMPTOTE – A STRAIGHT LINE THAT
A CURVE APPROACHES BUT NEVER
REACHES
 Where: 2a = transverse axis
a = semi- transverse axis
2b = conjugate axis
c2 = a2 + b2 b = semi- conjugate axis
c = dist. From vertex to focus
LR = length of the latus rectum
D = directrix
General Equation

Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0

Standard Equation
C(0,0)

Horizontal Orientation Vertical Orientation

 C(h,k)

Horizontal Orientation Vertical Orientation

 The Hyperbola
• If a right circular cone is
intersected by a plane
perpendicular to its axis, part of
a hyperbola is formed.
• Such an intersection can occur
in physical situations as simple
as sharpening a pencil that
has a polygonal cross section
or in the patterns formed on a
wall by a lamp shade.
Examples
Seat Work #6
 Practice Problems # 4

1. The circle is tangent to the line x + y = 2

at the point (4,-2), and the center is on the x-
axis.
2. The circle is tangent to the line 4x – 3y +
12 = 0 at the point (-3,0) and also tangent to
the line 3x + 4y – 16 = 0 at the point (4,1).
3. A parabola has an equation of 3x + 2y2 –
4y – 7 = 0. Determine the length of the latus
rectum.
4. Find the equation of the parabola with
vertex at the origin given the length of the
latus rectum is 10 and the parabola opens
upward.
5. Find the Equation of the parabola with
axis vertical ; passes through (-1,0), (5,0),
and (1,8)
6. How long is the latus rectum of the ellipse
whose equation is 9x2 + 16y2 – 576 = 0?
7. Find the equation of the ellipse which has
vertices (-5,0) and (5,0), length of the latus
rectum 8/5.
8. Find the equation of the ellipse which has
a center (5,4), major axis 16, minor axis 10.
9. Determine the length of the latus rectum of
the hyperbola whose equation is 9x2 – 4y2 +
90x + 189 = 0.
10. Find the equation of the hyperbola which
center (0,0), transverse axis along the x-axis,
transverse axis is 10, latus rectum is 10.
11. Find the equation of the hyperbola which
center (0,6), conjugate axis along the y-axis,
asymptotes are 6x – 5y + 30 = 0 and 6x + 5y
– 30 = 0.
12. The parabola y = 3x2 – 6x + 5 has vertex
at?
13. Determine the center of the ellipse 4x2 +
y2 – 16x – 6y – 43 = 0.
14. The hyperbola has the equation 9x2 –
16y2 = 144. Determine the location of the foci.
15. A circle has a diameter whose ends are at
(-3,2) and (12,-6). Determine the standard
equation.