Conic sections

Conic Sections Introduction

Conic sections are everywhere!

The paths of the planets around the sun are elliptical. Vehicle wheels are
circular. Parabolic mirrors are used to converge light beams and intensify
light. Hyperbolas are used as the basis of long-range navigation systems. 

In this unit, you will study conic sections. Each of the conic sections can be represented
by an equation in standard form. The derivations of these equations use coordinate
geometry and algebra. The verbal definition of the conic is represented algebraically,
using coordinates of key features of the conic. These derivations provide an opportunity
to appreciate the close relationship between these two different topics.

Four Conic Sections

A conic is the general term used to describe all the ways a plane and a double right
cone can intersect. Conic sections include circles, parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas.

Look at the images. In each image a plane is intersecting a double right cone. As
shown, there are only four distinct ways that this can happen.

A circle is formed when the intersecting plane is parallel to the bases of the cones. In
this case, the plane will intersect only one of the cones.
An ellipse is formed when the intersecting plane is not parallel to either the bases or the
sides of the cones. In this case, the plane will intersect only one of the cones.

A parabola is formed when the intersecting plane is parallel to the sides of the cones. In
this case, the plane will intersect only one of the cones.
A hyperbola is formed when the intersecting plane is perpendicular to the bases of the
cones. In this case, the plane will intersect both cones.

raphing Conics

One way to identify the equations for conic sections is by graphing. As you continue
studying conic sections, you will learn specific formulas for graphing them. However,
without knowing these formulas, you can still complete graphs of conic sections by
creating a table of values.

Example
Graph the equation x2+y2=25 and identify the type of conic section formed.

Solution

Begin by making a table of values.

Next, plot these values in the coordinate plane.

   
  
Finally, connect the points with a smooth curve.
 
 

The equation x2+y2=25 forms a circle when graphed in the coordinate plane.

Practice: Graphing Conic Sections

Now it’s your turn. Answer the questions. Choose Reveal Answer to check your work.

Answer: 1&2

x−4-4 −3-3 0 3 4
y 0 ±2.0±2.0 ±3±3 ±2.0±2.0 0
 
Note: The y-values in the table for when x=±3x=±3 are rounded values.
    
The equation 9x2+16y2=144  forms an ellipse when graphed in the coordinate plane.

No. 2

x −5-5 −4-4 −3-3 −2-2 −1-1 0123 4 5

y±4±4 ±2.6±2.6 0 - - - - - 0±2.6±2.6 ±4±4
 
Note: The y-values in the table for when x=±4x=±4 are rounded values.
  
The equation x2−y2=9x2-y2=9  forms a hyperbola when graphed in the coordinate
plane.

Review the Distance Formula

Let’s review some important analytic geometry concepts.

Example

What is the distance between points (2,−5)2,-5  and (−3, 7)-3, 7 ?

The distance between the points  (2,−5)  and  (−3, 7) is 13 units.

Remember that when using the distance formula, the variable d represents d units. In a

real-world application, the distance d may have to be multiplied by a per-unit value to
find the actual distance.

Example

The distance between two points is  5√3  units. The coordinates of these points
are  (1, 3)  and (−4, k). What is the value of k?

Solution

Begin by substituting the given values into the distance formula. Then solve the radical
equation.

There are two possible values of k,

Review the Midpoint Formula

Another analytic geometry concept that will help you to review is the midpoint formula.
Have you noticed that the coordinates of the midpoint of a line segment are nothing
more than the average of the x-coordinates of the endpoints of the segment and
the average of the y-coordinates of the endpoints of the segment? Making sense of the
formula means you do not have to memorize.

Example

What are the coordinates of the midpoint of a line segment connecting the
points (6, 5)6, 5  and (−2, −4)-2, -4 ?

Solution

Use the midpoint formula.

3. Set up and solve two equations, one to determine the x-coordinate
and one to determine the y-coordinate of the other endpoint.

The other endpoint of the segment is (−8, 18).

Definition of a Circle

Let's talk about the basics of circles.

A circle is formed by the intersection of a plane parallel to the base of a double cone. It
intersects only one of the cones as shown in the figure.

  

Derivation of the Equation of a Circle

A circle is defined as the set of all points in a plane that are equidistant from a fixed point
called the center. 

The radius, r, of a circle is the distance from the center to any point on the circle. Here,
the center of a circle at the origin.

  

The radius is the distance from  (0, 0) to any point on the circle (x, y). This
relationship is expressed using the distance formula.
Circle with Center at (h, k)
Now suppose you wanted to move the circle so that the center is no longer at the origin
but somewhere else on the coordinate plane.

The formula for the equation of a circle with a center at (h, k) is derived in a similar
fashion to the standard form of a circle with a center at the origin.
Begin with the distance formula. The radius is a fixed distance between
the center (h, k) and any point on the circle (x, y).

Next square both sides of the equation to eliminate the square root.

It is important to remember that the equation in standard form is

 x MINUS the x-coordinate of the center.

 y MINUS the y-coordinate of the center.
 The radius is SQUARED.

Graphing a Circle

To graph a circle, identify the radius and the center of the circle. Plot the center. Count
the radius number of units in all directions. This is easiest if you count the radius to the
left and right of the center and up and down from the center. Then connect these four
points in circular curve.
The radius of a circle is not always conveniently a rational number.

Practice: Graphing Circles

Now it’s your turn. Answer the questions. Choose Reveal Answer to check your work.
ANSWER:

1.

2.
3. The center is (−4, 1)  and the radius is 2√3 or approximately
3.5 units. Plot the center and then count of the radius. The graph
of
the circle does not cross the y-axis.
4. The center is (3, 0)  and the radius is 3 units. Plot the center and
then count the radius. The graph of the circle is tangent to the y-
axis.
   
 
Writing Equations of Circles

To write the equation of a circle in standard form, two pieces of information are
needed: the radius and the center of the circle. Once this information is known, writing
the equation is simple substitution into the standard form of a circle.

For a circle with a center of (2,−3) and a radius of 10, the equation is:

Try these problems. Answer the questions. Choose Reveal Answer to check your work.

1. What is the equation of a circle whose center is (−5, 1)  and whose radius is
8?
2. 2. What is the equation of a circle whose center is  (−1, 6) and radius is 3√6 ?

ANSWER:

What if the radius and center are not directly given? Well, then you need to work for it!

Example

What is the equation of a circle whose endpoints of a diameter are  (2, 0)  and (−4,−1) ?

Solution

Neither the radius nor the center is given. However, you can determine both pieces of
information. The midpoint of the diameter is the center of the circle. The length of a
diameter is equal to twice the length of a radius of the circle.
Example

What is the equation of a circle whose center is  (−1, 5) and is tangent to the y-axis?

Solution

You know the center, but you need the radius. The radius is the distance from the center
to the y-axis. This distance is 1 unit. Now you have the radius.

The equation of the circle is:

Here is an example that uses your understanding of the geometry of circles.

Example

What is the equation of a circle whose center lies on the line y =−2x+4  and is tangent
to the y-axis at the point (0, 1) ?

Solution

You are given neither piece of information you need. You need to work for it.
Graph the line that the center lies on and the point of tangency of the circle. Recall from
geometry that the radius of a circle drawn to the point of tangency is perpendicular to
the tangent line.

So draw a radius from the point of tangency to the line that the center lies on. Think
about how the circle would be drawn satisfying the conditions.

The center must have a y-coordinate of 1, since the radius lies on the line y =
1. Substitute 1 in for y into the equation that the center lies on to determine the x-
coordinate of the center.

Practice: Writing Equations of Circles

Now try these. Answer the questions. Choose Reveal Answer to check your work.

1. What is the equation of a circle in standard form whose center is  (3, −1) and
whose graph is tangent to the x-axis?

2. What is the equation of a circle in standard form whose diameter is 8 units and whose center
is (−2, 5)?
3. What is the equation of a circle in standard form whose center lies on the line y  = x + 2 and is
tangent to the x-axis at (8, 0) ?

ANSWER:

Graph the line and mark the point of tangency. Draw the radius from
the point of tangency. Think about what the circle must look like for
the given conditions.
The center of the circle must have an x-coordinate of 8. Substitute into
the equation of the line containing the center to determine the y-
coordinate of the center.
 
General Form of the Equation of a Circle
The general form of a circle is x2+y2+Dx+Ey+F=0 where D, E, and F are
constants.

Notice that in the general form, the center and the radius are not easily identifiable.

How can you determine the center and the radius of a circle given in this form? The key
is to transform the general form of a circle to its standard form by completing the
square. You will actually complete the square twice: once on the x terms and once on
the y terms.

The first step is to group the x-terms and the  y-terms on the left side of the equation and move
the constant term to the right side.

Complete the square in both the x- and y-polynomials. Then add those values to the right side of
the equation.

Write each x- and y-polynomial as a binomial squared.

The equation shows that this is a circle centered at  (-4, 3) with a radius of 8.
Let’s look at a couple more examples of converting equations between the general and
standard forms of a circle.

Example

What is the equation of the circle represented by  x2+y2+4x−8y+2=0  in

standard form?

Solution

Group the terms of the equation so that the like variable terms are adjacent to each
other. Move the constant to the right side of the equation.

x +4x+y −8y=−2
2 2

Next complete the square on the x-terms and then on the y-terms. Be sure to add the
constant that creates a binomial squared for both variables to both sides of the equation.

x +4x+4+y −8y+16=−2+4+16
2 2

Now write the squared binomials that are represented. Combine the constants on the
right side of the equation.

(x+2) +(y−4) =18

2 2

the center and the radius can now be identified. The center of the circle is  (−2, 4)  
and the radius is 3√2 .

How do you transform the equation of a circle in standard form into general
form? Simply perform the algebra implied in the standard form and set the equation
equal to 0.

Example

What is the general form of the circle whose equation is (x−2)2+(y+3)2=12 ?

Solution

You need to eliminate the quantites and set the equation equal to 0.

Square the binomials first.

x −4x+4+y +6y+9=12
2 2

Combine the constants and set the equation equal to 0. Rearrange the terms on the left
to follow the general form of a circle.

x +y −4x+6y+1=0
2 2

Answer:

1.
 2.

3.

4.

Real-World Applications of Circles

There are many real-world applications of circles. Think of real-world phenomena (both
manmade and natural) that are circular in shape. The example given below is one of
many examples involving circles.

Example

The Ferris wheel at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, pictured below, is 150 feet tall at its
highest point and has a diameter of 140 feet.

   
  

Write an equation in standard form for the equation of the Navy Pier Ferris
wheel. Consider the center of the wheel to be on the y-axis.

 Since the center of the wheel lies on the y-axis, the x-coordinate

of the center of the circle is 0.
 The diameter of the wheel is 140 feet. That means the radius of
the circle is 70 feet.
 The wheel’s highest point is 150 feet. Subtract the radius from
this number to obtain the y-coordinate of the
center: 150−70=80150-70=80. The y-coordinate of the center
of the circle is 80.
Therefore, the equation for the circle formed by the Navy Pier Ferris
wheel is:

What Is an Ellipse?

An ellipse is formed by the intersection of a plane with a double cone. In the case of an
ellipse, the plane must not be parallel to either the base or sides or the cone, as shown in
the figure. As with circles, the plane will intersect only one of the cones at a time.

 
General Form for the Equation of an Ellipse

The general form of the equation of an ellipse is

To convert the equation of an ellipse in standard form to its general

form, clear the fractions in the equation and set the equation equal to
0.

Next, square the binomials, distribute where required, and combine the
constant terms, setting the equation equal to 0.
Converting from the general form of an ellipse to its standard form is a bit more complicated. You will
need to complete the square on each variable.

to standard form, begin by factoring out 3 from the terms containing x and 8 from the terms
containing y. (Remember, the leading coefficient of the quadratic term must be 1 before completing the
square.) Move the constant to the right side of the equation.

Determine the value that must be added to each quantity to create a binomial squared.  Be
careful! The constant outside of the quantity affects the constant that has been added to the right
side of the equation.

When 4 is added to the first quantity, its effect on the left side of the equation is not
"adding 4," but rather adding 3 times 4. Similarly, when adding 16 to the second
quantity, "8 times 16" is added to the left side of the equation.

Write the quantities as squared binomials. Then divide by the constant on the right side
of the equation since the standard form of an ellipse is set equal to 1.
Notice that this conversion is required when you are asked to graph or determine
coordinate information about an ellipse in its general form.

Look at another example of converting from general form to standard form.

Eccenticity

The eccentricity of an ellipse, or e, is the measure that describes the shape of the ellipse.

If the value of e is closer to 0, the foci will be near the center of the ellipse, and the
ellipse will be more circular in shape, as shown.

 
   
  

If the value of e is closer to 1, the foci will be farther from the center of the ellipse, and
the ellipse will be more oblong, or egg-like in shape, as shown.

   
  
Answer:

1.
2.

3.
4. Remember that the leading coefficient of the quadratic term must be 1 before
completing the square. This leading term affects the constant added to both sides
of the equation.