Hyperbola

REVIEW INNOVATIONS
mathematics: ANALYTIC GEOMETRY
THE CONIC SECTIONS:

General Definition of Conic Sections:

= a set of points such that the distance from any

point to a fixed point called focus is in constant
ratio to its distance to a fixed line called directrix.
The constant ratio is called its eccentricity, e.

d1
d21

f2

e = f1/d1 = f2/d2 =
Latus rectum
fP(x,
3/d3 y)

f1

Focus
a f3

If e = 1, its a
F(a,parabola
0)

e < 1, its an
d3

ellipse

e > 1, its a

hyperbola
Directrix
THE PARABOLA (e = 1):
= set of points which are equidistantx from the focus as well as from the directrix

d1

d2

f2

f1

f3
d3

x2 = -4ay
y2 = - 4ax
y2 = 4ax

f1 d1

x a 2 y2 x a
2
2
2
2
2
x 2ax a y x 2ax a
Ellipse

x2 = 4ay y

4ax

Parabola
y
x
y

x
y

Note:

If vertex is at (h, k), change x to x - h and y to y - k. Length of latus rectum = 4a

Sample Problems:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

To
1.
2.
3.
4.

Find the equation of the two lines of slope 2 and tangent to the circle x + y 10x 8y + 36 = 0.
Find the radical axis of the circles x2 + y2 = 2x and x2 + y2 = 4y.
Locate the vertex and focus and find the length of the latus rectum of the parabola y 2 + 8x + 10y + 57 = 0
Find the length of the focal radius to the point with abscissa -1 on the parabola x 2 6x + 4y + 17 = 0.
Find the locus of the centers of the circles passing through (3, 4) and touching the line y + 6 = 0.
An automobile headlight has a parabolic reflector that is 6 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep. How far from the
vertex should the light bulb be placed?
Find the length of the subtangent and subnormal of the curve y = 8x for the point (2, 4).
A comet from deep space approaches the sun along a parabolic orbit with the sun at the focus. When the comet is
100milion miles from the sun, The line joining the sun and the comet forms an angles of 60 with the axis of the
parabola. How close to the sun will the comet get?

find the equation of a line tangent to a conic section at point P 1(x1, y1):
Replace x by xx1.
Replace y by yy1.
Replace x by (x + x1)/2
Replace y by (y + y1)/2
Where, P1(x1, y1) is the point of tangency.