ANALYTIC GEOMETRY

The Straight Line

CONIC SECTIONS
Definition
Conic sections can be defined as the locus of point that moves so that the ratio of its distance from a fixed point called
the focus to its distance from a fixed line called the directrix is constant. The constant ratio is called the eccentricity of
the conic.

Equation of Conic Sections

The equation of general conic-sections is in second-degree,
The quantity B2 - 4AC is called discriminant and its value will determine the shape of the
conic.

Eccentricity of Conic
Eccentricity is a measure of how much a conic deviate from being circular, making the
eccentricity of the circle obviously equal to zero. It is the ratio of focal distance to directrix
distance of the conic section.

CIRCLE

Definition of circle
The locus of point that moves such that its distance from a fixed point called the center is
constant. The constant distance is called the radius, r of the circle.

General Equation (C = A)
From the general equation of conic sections, C = A. Hence, the equation of the circle is

or

Standard Equations
Circle with center at any point (h, k)
PARABOLA
Definition of Parabola
Parabola is the locus of point that moves such that it is always equidistant from a fixed point and a
fixed line. The fixed point is called focus and the fixed line is called directrix.
General Equations of Parabola

Standard Equations
Parabola with vertex at the origin
Parabola with vertex at any point (h, k)

Elements of Parabola
1. Focus is located at distance from vertex in the direction of parabola’s opening.
2. Directrix is at distance from the vertex. It is a straight line located at the opposite side of
parabola’s opening.
3. Vertex is the point extremity of parabola, i.e. highest point for open downward, lowest point
for open upward, rightmost point for leftward, and leftmost point for rightward. The
coordinates of vertex is denoted as (h, k).
4. Axis is the line of symmetry of parabola. It contains both the focus and the vertex and always
perpendicular to the directrix.
5. Latus Rectum, denoted by LR , is a line perpendicular to the axis, passing through the focus
and terminates on the parabola itself. The total length of LR is 4a (LR=4a), where a stands for
the distance from focus to vertex.
6. Eccentricity of parabola is always equal to 1 (e=1). Thus, parabola can also be defined as a
conic section of eccentricity equal to 1.
ELLIPSE
Definition of Ellipse
Ellipse is the locus of point that moves such that the sum of its distances from two fixed points
called the foci is constant. The constant sum is the length of the major axis, 2a.
General Equation of the Ellipse

Standard Equations of Ellipse

Ellipse with center at the origin

Ellipse with center at (h, k)

Elements of Ellipse
HYPERBOLA
Definition
Hyperbola can be defined as the locus of point that moves such that the difference of its distances
from two fixed points called the foci is constant. The constant difference is the length of the
transverse axis, 2a.
General Equation

Standard Equations

Hyperbola with center at the origin

Hyperbola with center at any point (h, k)

Elements of Hyperbola
1. Center (h, k). At the origin, (h, k) is (0, 0).
2. Transverse axis = 2a and conjugate axis = 2b.
3. Location of foci c, relative to the center of hyperbola.

4. Latus rectum, LR

5. Eccentricity, e The eccentricity of hyperbola is always greater than one.

6. Location of directrix d relative to the center of hyperbola.

7. Equation of asymptotes.