SHS

PRE- CALCULUS
Quarter 1 – Week 1
Module 1:
CONIC SECTIONS
Pre-Calculus – SHS
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Conic Sections

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: JOMER O. RUZ
Editors: NENITA D. BAGADIONG, RONALD J. DESULO, JOAN E. HAPA,
DIANE E. MONTEREY, ROLAN G. NEDIA, MELANY D. PANGILINAN,
GRACE E. PURA, CHAD LOWE V. VILLAROYA
Reviewers: Ma. Jecca Latoza-Azas, JERRY G. FIRMANES, QA and Validation
Team
Illustrator: JOMER O. RUZ
Layout Artist: CHAD LOWE V. VILLAROYA, ANTONIO L. MORADA
 QUARTER 1
MODULE 1

I. Title of Material/Introduction:

CONIC SECTIONS

In this module, you will study the geometric representations of an

interesting set of plane curves called conic sections or simply conics. These
are the circle, the parabola, the ellipse and the hyperbola. The discussion
focuses on illustrating how each conic is obtained from the intersection of a
plane and a cone.
The conics which sometimes appear in nature have many scientific
and engineering applications. The wheels of a transport vehicle represent
circles. When you throw a ball, the trajectory it takes is a parabola. Arches in
bridges are sometimes parabolic or semi elliptic in form. The orbit taken by
each planet around the sun is an ellipse. You can also find elliptical gears in
certain machines, semi elliptic springs in automobiles and parabolic reflectors
in automobile headlights and spotlights. Properties of hyperbolas have been
used in the design of certain telescopes and navigations for range finding. This
shows that conic section is one of the important concepts you need to know.

II. Objectives:

At the end of this module you are expected to:

1. Identify different types of conic sections: parabola, ellipse, circle,

hyperbola, and degenerate cases.
2. Illustrate the different types of conic sections: parabola, ellipse, circle,
hyperbola, and degenerate cases.
3. Cite the importance of conic sections in real life.

III. Vocabulary List:

To facilitate better understanding of the lesson some terms are conceptually

defined.
conic section (or simply conic) – It is a curve obtained as the
intersection of the surface of a cone with a plane.
Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless
Any curve produced by the intersection of a plane and a right circular
cone. (Source: https://www.britannica.com )

nappe – It is the surfaces of the cones.

https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Nappe.html

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 vertex – is the tip or the extreme point of a conic section.
degenerate conic – It is a conic that is generated when a plane
intersects the vertex of the cone.
edge/ generator - It is any line on the surface through the vertex.

IV. Pre-test:

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Take note of the items
that you were not able to answer correctly and find the right answer as you go
through this module.

1. What is the result when the plane intersects only one cone to form an
unbounded curve?
a. Circle c. Hyperbola
b. Ellipse d. Parabola

2. Which of the following is represented by a Ferris wheel?

a. Circle c. Hyperbola
b. Ellipse d. Parabola

3. If the plane intersects the cones as shown in figure below, what type of conics
is formed?

a. Circle
b. Ellipse
c. Hyperbola
d. Parabola

4. What degenerate conic is formed when the tilted plane is placed between the
vertices such that the plane touches the nappes of the cones?
a. point c. two lines
b. one line d. none of the choices

5. Which of the following represents an ellipse?

a. Hourglass
b. Satellite dish
c. Orbit of a planet
d. San Juanico Bridge

V. Learning Activities:

Here are some activities for your deeper understanding of conics. Some
illustrations are provided to guide you as you go through the different
activities.

CONIC SECTIONS

The parabola, ellipse, hyperbola, and circle are called conic sections or
simply conics. The term “conic section” means that each figure is formed when a
plane intersects a right circular cone. The degenerate cases of the conic sections
include a point, a line, and two intersecting lines.

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 Now, let us illustrate how each conic section and degenerate conic is
obtained from the intersection of a plane and a cone.

Consider the following illustration. Let a line 𝑙 intersect a vertical line 𝑘 at a

point 𝑉 (Fig. 1).

k l

Fig.1

If 𝑙 revolved about 𝑘, a double-napped right circular cone is generated (Fig.2).

The point 𝑉 of intersection between 𝑙 and 𝑘 is called the vertex of the cone. The two
parts of the surface on either side of the vertex are called nappes. The vertical line 𝑘
is called the axis of the cone and any line on the surface through the vertex is called
an edge, an element or a generator of the cone.

Fig.2

A plane can intersect or cut a double-napped right circular cone in various

ways.

If the cutting plane is not parallel to a generator, that is, it intersects every
generator, then the section is an ellipse (Fig.3). If the cutting plane passes through
the vertex, the figure is a point and you call it a degenerate ellipse.

Fig.3

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 If the cutting plane intersects every generator and at the same time is
perpendicular to the axis of the cone, then a circle is formed (Fig. 4). Hence, a circle
is a special ellipse.

Fig.4

Ellipse and circle are bounded curves.

If the cutting plane is parallel to a generator but does not pass through the
vertex, the section is an unbounded curve (not a close shape) called a parabola (Fig.
5). If the plane passes through the vertex, the figure is a straight line or a
degenerate parabola.

Fig.5

If the cutting plane cuts both nappes but does not pass through the vertex,
the section forms two unbounded curves called a hyperbola (Fig. 6). Each curve is a
branch of a hyperbola. If the plane passes through the vertex, the figure is a pair of
intersecting lines (degenerate hyperbola).

Fig.6

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 NOTE:
A curve is uniquely defined by its curvature. Generally, by definition, things
that are bounded cannot be infinite. A bounded anything has to be able to be
contained along some parameters or boundaries. Unbounded means the
opposite, that it cannot be contained without having a maximum or minimum
of infinity.

For you to have a better grasp of degenerate conics (a point, one line, and two lines),
look at the following illustrations and descriptions:

Fig.7 Fig.8 Fig.9

• Point (Figure 7) – when cutting plane is placed horizontally between

the tips(vertices) of the cones (double right circular cones)

• One Line (Figure 8) – when cutting plane is placed between the

tips(vertices) such that the plane touches the surfaces(nappes) of the
cones (double right circular cones)

• Two Lines (Figure 9) – when the cutting plane is placed on the cones
horizontally passing through the tips(vertices) of the cones (double
right circular cones). (Conic Section 3D Animation by Creative Learning
published last September 22, 2015 at www.youtube.com

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VI. Practice Exercises:

Let’s see if you can now apply what you have learned in the previous task. Please
do Practice Task 1.

PRACTICE TASK 1: PICTURE ANALYSIS

Directions: Identify the type of conics shown in each figure. Write your answer on
the space provided.
1. Flashlight: ______________ 2. Watermelon: _____________

clausentech.com retrieved May 4, 2020 wonderseeds.blogspot.com retrieved May 4, 2020

3. Orbit of a Planet: ____________ 4. Ferris wheel: ____________

sciencephoto.com retrieved May 4, 2020 pinterest.com retrieved May 4, 2020

5. Hourglass:______________ 6. Vigan’s Calesa Wheel: _________

vectorstock.com retrieved May 4, 2020 flickr.com retrieved May 4, 2020

7. San Juanico Bridge:__________ 8. Lampshade Light: ____________

videotrip.ph retrieved May 4, 2020 pleacher.com retrieved May 4, 2020

Were you able to get the correct answers in Task 1?

Proceed to Practice Task 2!

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 PRACTICE TASK 2: ILLUSTRATE ME!
DIRECTIONS: Cut the double napped cones by drawing a plane such that it will form the
given conics. Provide an example in real life where the given conic sections can be
applied.

A. CONIC
ILLUSTRATION EXAMPLE
SECTIONS

1. CIRCLE

2. ELLIPSE

3. PARABOLA

4. HYPERBOLA

Modified Activity from Lesson Plan 3 Conics Section Best Classroom Practices by Virginia Liard

How did you find the activity? To see if you really understand conics, let’s now apply
conics in real life situations.

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PRACTICE TASK 3: WORTH IT, CONICS ARE EVERYWHERE!

Directions: Look around your house and see if you can find things that illustrate
conics. If you cannot find things that illustrate conics inside your house, visualize
anything that represents conics. Take pictures or sketch them and write their
importance to you or in the community.

A. CONIC
PICTURE OR SKETCH IMPORTANCE
SECTIONS

1. CIRCLE

2. ELLIPSE

3. PARABOLA

4. HYPERBOLA

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Congratulations! You’re now ready for the final task!

VII. Post-test

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. It is the result when the plane is placed on the cones horizontally passing
through the tips of the cones.
a. Point
b. One line
c. Two lines
d. None of the above

2. Which type of conic sections is represented by an hour glass?

a. Circle
b. Ellipse
c. Hyperbola
d. Parabola

3. Refer to the figure below, what type of degenerate conics is formed?

a. Point
b. One line
c. Two lines
d. Plane

4. What is the result when the plane is horizontally placed on a cone?

a. Circle
b. Ellipse
c. Parabola
d. Hyperbola

5. If you slice only one cone using a tilted cutter to form an unbounded curve,
which among the figures is formed?
a. Circle
b. Ellipse
c. Parabola
d. Hyperbola

VIII. Assignment

A. Create an artwork using the different conics.

Rubrics for creative artwork

Relevance……………30%
Creativity……………..30%
Uniqueness…………..20%
Originality…………….20%
TOTAL………………..100%

B. For additional information visit and watch “Conic Section 3D Animation by Creative
Learning” published last September 22, 2015 at www.youtube.com.

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References:

Department of Education (Bureau of Learning Resources) Pre – Calculus

Learner’s Material. Lexicon Press Inc., Philippines, 2016

Department of Education (Bureau of Learning Resources) Pre - Calculus

Teacher’s Guide. Lexicon Press Inc., Philippines, 2016

Feliciano and Uy. Modern Analytic Geometry. Merriam & Webster Bookstore, Inc.
1994

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless

https://www.britannica.com

https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Nappe.html

https://sciencing.com/meaning-unbounded-bounded-math-8731294.html

Conic Section 3D Animation by Creative Learning, September 22, 2015 at www.youtube.com)

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ANSWER KEY:
PRE-TEST:
1. d 4. c
2. d 5. c
3. c

PRACTICE EXERCISES:
PRACTICE TASK 1: PICTURE ANALYSIS

1. Parabola 2. Ellipse 3. Ellipse 4. Circle

5. Hyperbola 6. Circle 7. Parabola 8. Hyperbola

PRACTICE TASK 2: ILLUSTRATE ME!

A. CONICS
ILLUSTRATION EXAMPLE
SECTION

Answers may vary.

1. CIRCLE
e.g. wheels of a car

2. ELLIPSE

3. PARABOLA

4. HYPERBOLA

Modified Activity from Lesson Plan 3 Conics Section Best Classroom Practices by Virginia Liard

PRACTICE TASK 3: WORTH IT, CONICS ARE EVERYWHERE!

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POST-TEST:
1. a 4. a
2. c 5. c
3. a

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