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CONIC SECTIONS
AND ITS APPLICATIONS
for Pre Calculus
Senior High School (STEM)
Quarter 1 / Week 5
 OBJECTIVES:
K. Identify the important characteristics of the equation of
the different types of conic sections.
S. Classify equations of the conic sections into circle,
parabola, hyperbola, or ellipse and solve situational
problems involving conic sections;
A. Apply the methods in solving real life situation problems
involving conic sections.

I. What Happened

PRE-TEST:
A. Classify the following equations whether circle, parabola, ellipse or
hyperbola. Answer in your activity sheet/notebook.
1. 3x2 – 12x + 3y2 = 2
2. y = x2 – 4
3. 3x2 – 9x + 2y2 +10y – 6 =0
4. 4y2 – 10y - 3x2 = 12
5. X = 2y2 – 3y + 10
6. y2 – 48x + 6y = – 729
7. 49x2 +196x + 100y2 + 1400y + 196 = 0
8. x2 + y2 – 18y – 19 = 0
9. 9x2 + 4y2 = 36
10. 16x2 – 9y2 – 128x – 18y +103 = 0
 EQUATION AND IMPORTANT
LESSON
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES
1
OF CONIC SECTIONS

II. What You Need to Know

In this lesson, we will discuss on how to recognize the equation. In this
lesson, we will discuss on how to recognize the equation and know the
important characteristics of the different types of conic section.

DISCUSSION:
A. Recognizing the Equation

The equation of a circle is written in a standard form

Ax2 + Ay2 – Cx + Dy +E = 0,
That is, the coefficients of x2 and y2 are the same. However, it does not follow
that if the coefficients of x2 and y2 are the same, the graph is a circle.

General Equation Standard Equation Graph

1 3
A. 2x2 + 2y2 – 2x + 6y + 5 = 0 (x- 2)2 + (y +2)2 = 0 point

B. x2 + y2 – 6x + 8y + 50 = 0 (x - 3)2 + (y - 4)2 = -25 empty set

For a circle with equation (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2, we have r2 > 0. This is not
the case for the standard equations of (A) and (B).

In (A), because the sum of two squares can only be 0 if and only if each
1 3
square is 0, it follows that x− = 0 and y + = 0. The graph is thus the single point
2 2
1 3
(2, −2).

In (B), no real values of x and y can make the nonnegative left side equal
to the negative right side. The graph is then the empty set.
Example: General Form to Standard form.

2x 2 + 2 y 2 − 2x + 6 y + 5 = 0 General Form
(2 x 2 − 2 x) (2 y 2 + 6 y ) − 5
+ =
2 2 2
−5
( x 2 − x) + ( y 2 + 3 y ) =
2
1 9 −5 1 9
(x2 − x + ) + ( y 2 + 3y + ) = + +
4 4 2 4 4
1 9 − 10 + 1 + 9
(x2 − x + ) + ( y 2 + 3y + ) =
4 4 4
1 9 0
(x2 − x + ) + ( y 2 + 3y + ) =
4 4 4
1 2 3 2
(x − ) + ( y + ) = 0 Standard Form
2 2

B. Important characteristics of conic section

Let us recall the general form of the equations of the other conic sections.
We may write the equations of conic sections we discussed in the general form

Ax2 + By2 + Cx + Dy + E = 0.

Some terms may vanish, depending on the kind of conic section.

1. Circle: both x2 and y2 appear, and their coefficients are the same

Ax2 + Ay2 + Cx + Dy + E = 0

Example: 18x2 + 18y2 −24x + 48y−5 = 0 Degenerate cases: a point, and

the empty set

2. Parabola: exactly one of x2 or y2 appears

Ax2 + Cx + Dy + E = 0 (D 6= 0, opens upward or downward)

By2 + Cx + Dy + E = 0 (C 6= 0, opens to the right or left)

Examples: 3x2 −12x + 2y + 26 = 0 (opens downward)

−2y2 + 3x + 12y−15 = 0 (opens to the right)

3. Ellipse: both x2 and y2 appear, and their coefficients A and B have

the same sign and are unequal

Examples: 2x2 + 5y2 + 8x−10y−7 = 0 (horizontal major axis)

4x2 + y2 −16x−6y + 21 = 0 (vertical major axis)
 If A = B, we will classify the conic as a circle, instead of an ellipse.

Degenerate cases: a point, and the empty set

4. Hyperbola: both x2 and y2 appear, and their coefficients A and B

have different signs

Examples: 5x2 −3y2 −20x−18y−22 = 0 (horizontal transverse axis)

−4x2 + y2 + 24x + 4y−36 = 0 (vertical transverse axis)

Degenerate case: two intersecting lines

The following examples will show the possible degenerate conic (a point,
two intersecting lines, or the empty set) as the graph of an equation following
a similar pattern as the non-degenerate cases.

(𝑥−2)2 (𝑦 + 1)2
(1) 4x2 + 9y2 −16x + 18y + 25 = 0 =⇒ 32
+ 22
=0
=⇒ one point: (2, −1)

(𝑥−2)2 (𝑦 + 1)2
(2) 4x2 + 9y2 −16x + 18y + 61 = 0 =⇒ + = -1
32 22
=⇒ empty set

(𝑥−2)2 (𝑦 + 1)2
(3) 4x2 −9y2 −16x−18y + 7 = 0 =⇒ - =0
32 22
2
=⇒ two lines: y + 1 = ± 3(x−2)

A Note on Identifying a Conic Section by Its General Equation

It is only after transforming a given general equation to standard
form that we can identify its graph either as one of the degenerate
conic sections (a point, two intersecting lines, or the empty set) or
as one of the non-degenerate conic sections (circle, parabola,
ellipse, or hyperbola).

1. Parabola
The parabola is a conic section, the intersection of a right circular
conical surface and a plane parallel to a generating straight line of that
surface. The equation for a parabola is
y=a(x−b)2+c or x =a(y−b)2+c
2. Circles and Ellipses
The equation of a circle with center at (a, b) and radius r units is

(x−a) 2 + (y−b) 2 = r2
An ellipse is the figure consisting of all points in the plane whose
coordinates satisfy the equation
𝐱𝟐 𝐲𝟐
+ 𝐛 𝟐= 1
𝐚𝟐

If the ellipse has its center at (m, n) the equation could be written as
(𝐱−𝐦)𝟐 (𝐲−𝐧)𝟐
+ =1
𝐚𝟐 𝐛𝟐

3. Hyperbolas
A hyperbola is a curve, specifically a smooth curve that lies in a plane,
which can be defined either by its geometric properties or by the kinds of
equations for which it is the solution set. A hyperbola has two pieces, called
connected components or branches, which are mirror images of each other
and resembling two infinite bows.

The equation of a hyperbola with a center at (m, n) is

(𝐱−𝐦)𝟐 (𝐲−𝐧)𝟐
(x−m)2/a2 − (y−n)2/b2 = 1 - =1
𝐚𝟐 𝐛𝟐
 LESSON SOLVE SITUATIONAL PROBLEMS INVOLVING
2 CONIC SECTIONS

II. What You Need to Know

Solving problems involving different conic sections require us to use the
properties of different conic sections.

DISCUSSION:

Example 1. A circle has center at the focus of the parabola y2 + 16x + 4y = 44

and is tangent to the directrix of this parabola. Find its standard equation.

Solution: Transform the General Equation of the parabola to its standard form.
y2 + 16x + 4y = 44 General Equation
y + 4y + 4 = 44 – 16x + 4
2 By completing the square and
Addition Property of Equality
(y + 2)2 = –16x + 48 by factoring the left side and
simplifying on the other side
(y + 2)2 = –16(x – 3) factoring out -16 at the left side
(y + 2)2 = –16(x – 3) is the standard equation of the
parabola.

So the vertex is v(3, -2). Since the length of the latus rectum 4c = 16 or
c = 4, its focus is F(-1, -2) and its directrix is x = 7, that is directrix = c + c + (-1) = 4
+ 4 – 1 = 7. The circle has center at (-1, -2) the same as F and radius is 2c = 2(4)
= 8, which is the distance from F to the direcrix, because the circle is tangent
to the directrix.

From the standard equation of the circle (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2

substitute -1 to h, -2 to k and 8 to r. Thus, the equation of the circle
is (x + 1)2 + (y + 2)2 = 82 or (x + 1)2 + (y + 2)2 = 64.
Example 2. The vertices and foci of 5x2 – 4y2 + 50x + 16y + 29 = 0 are
respectively, the foci and vertices of an ellipse. Find the standard equation of
the ellipse.

Solution. First write the equation of the hyperbola in standard form.

5x2 – 4y2 + 50x + 16y + 29 = 0 General Equation
5x2 + 50x – 4y2 + 16y = - 29 Transposing 29 to the left
5(𝑥 + 10𝑥 ) − 4(𝑦 − 4𝑦) = −29 Factoring by grouping
2 2

5(𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 25) − 4(𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 + 4) = −29 + 5(25) – 4(4)

By completing the square and
addition property of equality
2 2
5(𝑥 + 5) − 4(𝑦 − 2) = 80 Factoring perfect square
trinomials and simplifying the
right side
5(𝑥+5)2 4(𝑦−2)2 80
− = 80 Dividing each term by 80 to
80 80
equate the equation to 1
(𝑥+5)2 (𝑦−2)2
− =1 By simplification to get the standard
16 20
equation of the Hyperbola.

2
For this hyperbola, ah = 4, bh = √20 and 𝑐ℎ = √𝑎ℎ 2 + 𝑏ℎ 2 = √42 + (√20)
ch = 6,

For the ellipse the points are

Points Hyperbola Ellipse
Center (-5,2) (-5,2)
Vertices (-9,2) and (-1,2) (-11,2) and (1,2)
Foci (-11,2) and (1,2) (-9,2) and (-1,2)

So, center to focus distance ce = 4 and center to vertex distance is ae = 6, so

that 𝑏𝑐 = √(𝑎𝑒 )2 − (𝑐𝑒 )2 = √(6)2 − (4)2 = √20 , then the standard equation of
the ellipse is
(𝑥 + 5)2 (𝑦 − 2)2
+ =1
36 20
Consider the following examples:
Example 1. The center of a circle is the vertex of the parabola y2 + 24x – 12y +
132 = 0. If the circle intersects the parabola’s directrix at a point where y = 11,
find the equation of the circle.
Solution: Transform first the general equation of the parabola
y2 + 24x – 12y + 132 = 0
y2 – 12y = –24x –132 by transposition
y2 – 12y + 36 = –24x –132 +36 by completing the square
(y -6)2 = -24x – 96 factoring the left side combining
like terms on the other side
(y – 6) = – 24(x + 4)
2 by factoring

So, the vertex of the parabola is (–4, 6) and its directrix is x = 2 because 4c = 24
then c = 6 the vertex to directrix distance.

Since the circle contains the point (2, 11) then its radius is √61 .

Parabola Circle
Vertex (–4,6)
Center (–4,6)
directrix x = -4 + c =-4 + 6 = 2
radius √(−4 − 2)2 + (6 − 11)2 = √61
equation (x + 4)2 +(y – 6)2 = 61

Example 7. The vertices of the hyperbola with equation

9x – 72x – 16y – 128y – 256 = 0 are the foci of an ellipse that contains the point
2 2

(8, –10). Find the standard equation of the Ellipse.

Solution: Transform the general equation of the hyperbola to its standard form.
9x2 – 72x – 16y2 – 128y – 256 = 0
9x2 – 72x – 16y2 – 128y = 256 by transposition
9(x – 8x) -16( y – 8y) = 256
2 2 factoring by grouping
9(x – 8x + 16) -16( y – 8y +16) = 256 + 9(16)- 16(16)
2 2

completing the square

9(x – 4) -16( y – 4) = 144
2 2 factoring
(𝑥−4)2 (𝑦−4)2
− =1 dividing both members by 144.
16 9

The ellipse is horizontal because a = 4 is greater than b = 3 with center at

C(4, –4) contains the point (8, –10). The sum of the distances of the p(8, –10)
from the foci is
√(8 − 0)2 + (−10 − (−4))2 + √(8 − 8)2 + (−10 − (−4))2 = 16.
This sum is constant for any point on the ellipse; so 2a = 16 and a = 8. Then b 2
= 82 - 42. = 48.

Hyperbola Ellipse
Vertices (0,– 4) and (8, – 4)
Foci (0,– 4) and (8, – 4)
Center (4, – 4) (4, – 4)
Focal Distance c=4

Therefore, the equation of the ellipse is

(𝑥 − ℎ )2 (𝑦 − 𝑘 )2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏2

(𝑥 − 4)2 (𝑦 + 4)2
+ =1
64 48

III. What Have I Learned

POST TEST:
A. The graphs of the following equations are (nondegenerate) conic
sections. Identify the conic section. Write your answer in your activity
sheet/notebook.
1. 5x2 −3y2 + 10x−12y = 22
2. 2y2 −5x−12y = 17
3. 3x2 + 3y2 + 42x−12y = −154
4. 3x2 + 6x + 4y = 18
5. 7x2 + 3y2 −14x + 12y = −14
6. −4x2 + 3y2 + 24x−12y = 36

B. Solve the following problems. Write your answer in your activity

sheet/notebook.
1. Find all parabolas whose focus is a focus of the hyperbola x2 – 2x – 3y2
– 12 = 0 and whose directrix contains the top side of the hyperbola’s
auxiliary rectangle.
2. Find the equation of the circle that contains all corners of the auxiliary
rectangle of the hyperbola –x2 – 18x + y2 + 10y - 81 = 0.
 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

JOELYZA M. ARCILLA, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

MARCELO K. PALISPIS, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

NILITA L. RAGAY, EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
CID Chief

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ELISA L. BAGUIO, EdD

Division Education Program Supervisor – MATHEMATICS

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

REONELL K. SELARDE & RONALD TOLENTINO

Writers

LITTIE BETH S. BERNADEZ

Lay-out Artist
_________________________________

ALPHA QA TEAM
LITTIE BETH S. BERNADEZ
RONALD TOLENTINO
DIDITH T. YAP

BETA QA TEAM
ELIZABETH A. ALAP-AP
EPIFANIA Q. CUEVAS
NIDA BARBARA S. SUASIN
VRENDIE P. SYGACO
MELBA S. TUMARONG
HANNAHLY I. UMALI

ENHANCEMENT TEAM
RADHIYA A. ABABON
LITTIE BETH S. BERNADEZ
GIL S. DAEL
DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide accessible learning modality to the teachers
and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The contents of this module are carefully researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the
set learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly instructed to give credits to information and illustrations used to substantiate this
material. All content is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.
 SYNOPSIS AND ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Self Learning Kit (SLK) is ANSWERS KEY
developed to prepare students
explore mathematical problems 2. ቀ𝑥 − (1 − √5)ቁ = −4(𝑦 − 1)
involving conic sections. It
2

B. 1. ቀ𝑥 − (1 + √5)ቁ = −4(𝑦 − 1)
includes solving problems on the 2
6. Hyperbola
different types of conic sections: 5. Ellipse

parabola, ellipse, circle, hyperbola, 4. Parabola

3. Circle
and degenerate cases. 2. Parabola
Students are provided with A. 1. Hyperbola
POST TEST
practice activities, examples
and assessment to test their skills 10. Hyperbola
5. Parabola
4. Hyperbola
and knowledge, sharpen their 9. Ellipse 3. Ellipse

critical thinking skills and lead

8. Circle 2. Parabola
7.Ellipse 1. Circle
them to develop wise decision 6. Parabola A.

making.
PRE-TEST

AUTHORS
Reonell K. Selarde is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in
Industrial Engineering at Foundation University, Dumaguete
City. Also finished his Continuing Professional Education at
Presbyterian Theological College Inc., Dumaguete City. He
is a Grade 12 teacher-adviser Maria Macahig Memorial
High School, Siaton, Negros oriental and has been serving
the Department of Education since 2018.
 REFERENCES

Bacani, Jerico B., Eden, Richard B., Estrada, Glenn Rey A., Francisco, Flordeliza
F., Vidallo, Mark Anthony J., Department of Education, Ground Floor
Bonifacio Building, Dep.Ed Complex Meralco Avenue, Pasig City,
Philippines 1600, 2016, Page 60-62.

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/algebra/algebra-ii/conic-
sections/the-four-conic-sections

https://www.mathplanet.com/education/algebra-2/conic-
sections/equations-of-conic-sections

https://www.dummies.com/education/math/calculus/how-to-identify-the-
four-conic-sections-in-equation-form/

Ascano, Joy P., et al. Precalculus Learner’s Material, First Edition 2016.
Department of Education. Lesson 1.5, pp. 60 – 66.