TOPIC 4.

2: ANALYTIC
GEOMETRY
4.2.1 The Ellipse
4.2.2 The Parabola
4.2.3 The Hyperbola
4.2.1 The Ellipse
Definition of an ellipse:
An ellipse is the set of all points in a plane the sum of whose
distances from 2 fixed points, F1 and F2 is constant. These 2 fixed
points are called the foci.
d ( F1 , P) + d ( P, F2 ) = 2a , a is a constant

The midpoint of the segment connecting the foci is the

center of the ellipse
 Standard forms of the equations
of an ellipse
The standard form of the equation of an ellipse with center at the origin,
and major and minor axes of length 2a and 2b (Where a and b are
positive and a2 > b2) is

Equation Foci Vertices Major axis

x2 y 2
+ =1 ( −c,0), (c,0) ( − a,0), ( a,0) x-axis
a2 b2
x2 y 2
+ =1 (0,−c), (0, c) (0,− a ), (0, a ) y-axis
b2 a2

The foci are on the major axis, c units from the center, c = a − b
2 2 2
 Graphing an ellipse centered at
the origin
Example:
1-Graph and locate the foci: x 2 y2
+ =1
36 9

2- Graph and locate the foci: 16 x 2 + 9 y 2 = 144

 Finding the equation of an ellipse
from its foci and vertices
Example:
Find the standard form of the equation of an ellipse with foci at (-2, 0)
and (2, 0) and vertices (-3, 0) and (3, 0)
Translation of ellipses
Ellipses with Center at (h, k), a > b > 0,
and b2= a2 - c2

Equation Foci Vertices Major Axis

( x − h) 2 ( y − k ) 2 ( h ± a, k ) y =k
+ =1 ( h ± c, k )
a2 b2
( x − h) 2 ( y − k ) 2
+ =1 ( h, k ± c ) ( h, k ± a ) x=h
b2 a2
Graphing an ellipse centered at
(h, k)
Example:
Graph ( x + 1) 2 + ( y − 2) 2 = 1
9 4

Where are the foci located?

 4.2.2 The Parabola
Definition of a parabola:
A parabola is defined as the collection of all points P in the
plane that are the same distance from a fixed point F (focus) as
they are from a fixed line D (directrix).
d ( F , P ) = d ( P, D )

Axis of symmetry - the line through the focus F and perpendicular to the
directrix D.
Vertex V - the point of intersection of the parabola with its axis of symmetry.
Standard form of the equations of a parabola
The standard form of the equation of a parabola with vertex at the
origin is
y 2 = 4 px or x 2 = 4 py

The latus rectum of a parabola is a line segment that passes

through its focus, is parallel to its directrix, and has its
endpoints on the parabola. The length of lactus rectum is
|4p|
 Finding the focus and directrix
of a parabola
Example:
1.Find the focus and directrix of the parabola given by y = 8 x
2

. Then graph the parabola

2. Find the focus and directrix of the parabola given by x = −12 y
2

. Then graph the parabola

3. Find the standard form of the equation of a parabola with focus (8, 0) and
directrix x = -8
Translation of parabola
Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k), p > 0
Equation Focus Directrix Axis if Description
Symmetry

Opens to
( y − k ) 2 = 4 p ( x − h) ( p + h, k ) x = −p+h y=k
right.

Opens to left.
( y − k ) = −4 p ( x − h)
2
( − p + h, k ) x= p+h y=k

( x − h) 2 = 4 p ( y − k ) (h, p + k ) y = −p+k x=h Opens up.

Opens down.
( x − h) = −4 p( y − k )
2 (h,− p + k ) y = p+k x=h
Graphing parabola with vertex (h, k)
Example:
1.Find the vertex, focus, and directrix of the parabola given by
( x − 2) 2 = 4( y + 1)

2. Find the vertex, focus and directrix of the parabola given by

y 2 + 2 y + 4 x − 7 = 0 . Then graph the parabola
4.2.3 The Hyperbola
Definition of a hyperbola:
A hyperbola is the collection of all points in the plane,
the difference of whose distances from two fixed points,
called the foci, is a constant.
d ( F1 , P) − d ( F2 , P) = ±2a , a is a constant

The midpoint of the segment connecting the foci is the

center of the ellipse
• Transverse Axis - the line containing the foci.
• Center - the midpoint of the line segment joining the foci.
• Conjugate Axis - the line through the center and
perpendicular to the transverse axis.
• Branches – are symmetric with respect to the transverse
axis, conjugate axis and center.
• Vertices - the two points of intersection of the hyperbola
and the transverse axis.
Note:
The hyperbola is
symmetric with respect
to its transverse axis
and with respect to its
conjugate axis.
Finding an equation of the hyperbola with center at the
origin, one focus at (3, 0), and one vertex at (–2, 0). Graph
the equation.
Distance from center to focus is c = 3
Distance from center to vertex is a = 2.
Center: ( 0, 0 )
Vertices: ( −4, 0 ) , ( 4, 0 )
Foci: ( ±2 5, 0 )
Center: ( 0, 0 )
Vertices: ( 0, −2 ) , ( 0, 2 )
Foci: ( 0, ± 5 )
Find an equation of the hyperbola having one vertex at
(0, 2) and foci at (0, –3) and (0, 3). Graph the equation.

Looking at the points given we see that the center is at (0,0)

and the transverse axis is along the y-axis.
 Find an equation for the hyperbola with center at (1, –2), one
focus at (4, –2), and one vertex at (3, –2). Graph the
equation by hand.
Center, focus and vertex are on y = –2 so transverse axis is parallel to x-axis.

Distance from center to a focus is c = 3

Distance from center to a vertex is a = 2