CHAPTER 4

CONIC SECTION AND ITS APPLICATION

4.1 General Form of a Conic

4.2 Circle
4.3 Parabola
4.4 Ellipse
4.5 Hyperbola

At the end of the chapter, students are expected to

 illustrate the different types of conic sections: circle, parabola, ellipse,

hyperbola, and degenerate cases;
 define each conic section;
 determine the standard form of equation of each conic;
 graph each conic in a rectangular coordinate system;
 recognize the equation and important characteristics of the different types
of conic sections; and
 solve situational problems involving conic sections

Earth was once thought to be the center of our universe. The study of astronomy and the
positions of cosmic bodies, satellites, and rays have been important in understanding our own
world. The orbits and trajectories in the universe can be modelled by curves called conic
sections. Conics is an application of analytic geometry. In this chapter, we will explore the
attributes and equations of conics.
 We introduce the conic sections, a particular class of curves which sometimes appear in
nature and which have applications in other fields. In this lesson, we discuss the first of their
kind, circles. The other conic sections will be covered in the next lessons.

4.1 General Form of a Conic

Introduction

Conics are a family of graphs that include parabolas, circles, ellipses, and hyperbolas. All of
these graphs are derived from the same general equation. By manipulating this specific
equation, you can determine the type of conic and graph it, using key information.

Conics

The word "conic" comes from the word "cone," which is where the shapes of parabolas, circles,
ellipses, and hyperbolas originate. Consider a double cone, defined as the form generated when
one of two intersecting lines is rotated about the other. The lines that pass through the vertex to
form this cone are called the generators. The fixed line corresponding to the height of the cone is
called the axis of the cone. Conic sections are the nondegenerate curves generated by intersecting
one or both pieces of the cone with a plane. One piece of a double cone is called a nappe.

 When a plane is perpendicular to the axis of the cone, a circle is generated.

 When a plane is not perpendicular to the axis of the cone but does intersect one nappe of
the cone, either an ellipse or a parabola is generated.
o An ellipse is generated when the plane is tilted so that it intersects both generator
lines.
o A parabola is generated when the plane is tilted so that it is parallel to one
generator and intersects the other generator.
 When a plane intersects both nappes of the cone, a hyperbola is generated.
General Form of a Conic

In this form, examining the two coefficients A and C will expose the type of conic.

A and C Description A and C Relationship Type of Conic

same sign and the same value Circle

Either is zero or Parabola

same sign and the different values where Ellipse

Opposite sign or Hyperbola

Each specific type of conic has its own graphing form, but in all cases the technique of
completing the square is essential. The examples below review completing the square and
recognizing conics.

Review: Completing the Square

1.

1. leading coefficient of x is 1

1. ( ) ( ) the coefficient of x is divided by 2, then square

1. perfect square trinomial

1. ( ) square of a binomial

2.

2. ( ) leading coefficient of x and y is 1

2. ( ) ( ) perfect square trinomial

2. ( ) ( ) square of a binomial
Example: Classify the graph of the equation as a circle, a parabola, an ellipse, or a hyperbola.

Equation Graph Equation Graph

1. hyperbola 5. – hyperbola
2. ( ) parabola 6. ellipse
3. ellipse 7. circle
4. parabola 8. circle

4.2 Circle
A circle is the set of all points ( ) in a plane
that are equidistant from a fixed point.

Properties of a Circle

 The fixed point is called the center of the circle, denoted by ( )

 The constant equal distance is called the radius of the circle, denoted by r. It is used to
refer to a segment from the center to any point on the circle, and the length is the
segment.

Standard Equation of a Circle

( ) ( )

It is called the center-radius form.

Example: Identify the center and radius of the circle with the following given equation in

each item. Sketch its graph.

1. 2. ( ) ( )

Solution: Solution:

Center: ( ) Center: ( )

Radius: Radius:

3. ( ) 4.

Solution: Solution:

Center: ( ) Center: ( )

Radius: Radius: √

Example: Write the equation of a circle, in general form, whose center at ( ) and

radius of √ .

Solution:

( ) ( )

( ) ( ) (√ )
4.3 Parabola
A parabola is the set of all points ( ) in a plane
that are equidistant from a fixed point and a fixed line.

Properties of a Parabola

 The fixed point is called the focus, denoted by F. It has a distance of p units from the
vertex.
 The fixed line is called the directrix, denoted by l. It has a distance of p units from the
vertex.
 The line through the focus perpendicular to the directrix is called axis of the parabola.
This line divides the parabola into two parts which are mirror images of each other.
 The intersection of the parabola with its axis is called the vertex, denoted by V. It is
midway between the focus and the directrix. The point is also denoted as ( ) and
when it is on the origin the vertex is ( ).
 The chord through the focus and perpendicular to the axis of the parabola is called latus
rectum. Its endpoints lie on the curve and has a length of .
 The orientation of the parabola may open either vertically (upward or downward) or
horizontally (to the left or to the right).
 Summary of the standard features of parabolas with a vertex at a point (h, k)

(a) When , the parabola opens to the right. (b) When , the parabola opens to the left.

(c) When , the parabola opens upward. (d) When , the parabola opens downward.

Standard Equation of a Parabola

For a parabola opens horizontally: For a parabola opens vertically:

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
Example: Determine the focus, directrix, axis of symmetry, vertex, latus rectum, and the

orientation of the parabola. Sketch its graph.

Solution:

Focus ( )

Directrix

Axis of
symmetry
Vertex ( )

Latus rectum
Length:
Endpoints: ( ) ( )

orientation Opens to the right

i) From general form to standard form:

( )
( ) ( )
ii) Vertex: ( ) ( )
iii) value of p:

Therefore,

Focus: ( ) Directrix:

v) latus rectum:
length:

endpoints: ( ) ( )
4.4 Ellipse
An ellipse is the set of all points ( ) in a plane
such that the sum of the whose distances
from two fixed points is constant.

Properties of an Ellipse

 Each fixed point is called a focus. It has a distance of , where .

 The line through the foci is called the principal axis of the ellipse.
 The points of intersection of the ellipse and its principal axis are called the vertices.
 The point on the principal axis that lies halfway between two vertices is called a center.
 The segment of the principal axis between the two vertices is called major axis and its
length of units. The segment perpendicular to major axis through the center is called
minor axis and it has a length of units; its endpoints are called the co-vertices.
 The orientation of the ellipse may either be vertical or horizontal.

Summary of the standard features of ellipse with a vertex at a point (h, k)

(a) horizontal ellipse with center ( ) (b) vertical ellipse with center ( )
Standard Equation of an Ellipse

If is the constant referred to in the definition of an ellipse, and if the foci are at apart, then
if , a standard equation of the ellipse is:

For a horizontal ellipse: For a vertical ellipse:

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Example: Write the equation of the ellipse, both general form and standard form, that

satisfies the given conditions. Also identify the other properties of ellipse.
Sketch its graph.

Given: Vertices at ( ) ( ), length of minor axis is .

Solution:

Equation:
Standard: ( ) ( )

General:

Center: ( )

Foci: ( ) ( )

Vertices: ( ) ( )

Co-vertices: ( ) ( )

Principal axis:

Orientation: vertical ellipse

( ) ( )
i) ii)
( ) ( )
standard form

general form
4.5 Hyperbola
A hyperbola is the set of all points ( ) in a plane
such that the absolute value of the difference of the distances
from two fixed points is constant.

Properties of a Hyperbola

 The two fixed points is called the foci (plural of focus). It has a distance of , where .
 The line through the foci is called the principal axis of the hyperbola.
 The points of intersection of the hyperbola and its principal axis are called the vertices.
 The point on the principal axis that lies halfway between two vertices is called a center.
 The segment of the principal axis between the two vertices is called transverse axis and
its length of units. The segment perpendicular to transverse axis through the center is
called conjugate axis and it has a length of units; its endpoints are called co-vertices.
 The orientation of the hyperbola may either be vertical or horizontal.
 An important aid in sketching the graph of hyperbola is the determination of its
asymptotes. Each hyperbola has two asymptotes that intersect at the center of the
hyperbola. It passes through the vertices of an auxiliary rectangle of dimensions 2a by
2b, with its center at ( ).
 Summary of the standard features of hyperbolas with a center at a point (h, k)

(a) horizontal hyperbola with center ( ) (b) vertical hyperbola with center ( )

Standard Equation of a Hyperbola

If is the constant referred to in the definition of a hyperbola, and if the foci are at apart,
then if , a standard equation of the hyperbola is:

For a horizontal hyperbola: For a vertical hyperbola:

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Equation of the Asymptotes of a Hyperbola

For a horizontal hyperbola: For a vertical hyperbola:

( ) ( )
Example: Give the coordinates of the center, foci, vertices, and asymptotes of the hyperbola

with the given equation. Sketch the graph, and include the points and lines, the

transverse and conjugate axes, and the auxiliary rectangle.

( ) ( )

Solution:

Center: ( )
i)
Vertices: ( ) ( )

Co-vertices: ( ) ( )
√

Foci: ( √ )

Principal axis: ii) asymptotes:

( )
Asymptotes:

( )

Orientation: vertical hyperbola

( ) ( )